NOTE: *** *** represents Force bond communication

----------------------------

Part Twenty-Eight

Qui-Gon gazed down at Cian. They were in the hospital in the capital of Jalat. The Jalatan physicians had been unable to do anything about Cian’s mental state, but they had nursed her physical injuries. She was also hooked up to machinery which ensured her body was receiving enough fluids and nutrients.

Qui-Gon reached over and took her hand.

_Cian, come back. You‘re safe now._

But Cian’s hand lay as before, still and unresponsive.

Qui-Gon slowly sat back in his chair.

_I’m sorry, Cian. I’m sorry I didn’t protect you. And I’m sorry I never told you how much I love you._

Qui-Gon heard footsteps. Turning around, he watched as Aalea entered the room. She walked over to him. He reached out to her and she slipped her arms around him.

“Oh, Master,” she said as she hugged him. She gently touched the bacta bandage that was over his left eye.

“I know, Aalea.”

When she pulled away, Qui-Gon reached over and touched her padawan braid.

“I was going to ask you about this earlier,” he said, a soft smile on his face as he looked at the violet ribbon which was woven through her black hair.

Aalea blushed. “Obi-Wan gave it to me.”

Qui-Gon’s brows raised. “Really?”

“I wore it to Nadira and Ishan’s wedding.”

Qui-Gon eyed Aalea. He found it interesting that the wedding had happened days ago, yet she still wore the ribbon. When she noted he was staring at her, she quickly looked away, another blush stealing across her face.

“Where is Obi-Wan by the way?” he asked.

Aalea looked back at him.

“Arranging for our transport back to Coruscant, Master. We used up all the fuel in the skipship getting here and, since it’s a prototype, the Jalatans don’t have the fuel it needs.”

Qui-Gon nodded, then turned back to Cian. He sighed deeply. Aalea reached over and cupped his chin, her fingers stroking his beard.

“Don’t be sad, Master. It’s going to be all right. She’ll come back to us.”

Qui-Gon reached up and held Aalea’s hand.

“I know, little one. It’s just that...”

“You’re also worried about what happened with Rukal? How you almost turned?”

He stared at her in surprise. “How do you know about that? Did Obi-Wan tell you?”

Aalea shook her head. “He didn’t have to, Master. I saw it. Through his eyes.”

“The Force bond? You and Obi-Wan...?”

Aalea looked embarrassed, then she smiled slightly.

“It proved to be somewhat convenient while we were on the mission.” Aalea’s eyes then sobered. “Don’t blame yourself, Master. I would have killed Rukal myself if I‘d had the chance.”

“Don’t say that, Aalea. You wouldn’t have.”

“For what he did to Cian, I _would_ have killed him. And I’m glad General Neeshin killed him. Glad,” she cried, her voice breaking.

Qui-Gon reached over and pulled her close. She laid her head on his shoulder and Qui-Gon felt her tears as they fell onto his neck.
Then he heard someone walk quickly into the room. Qui-Gon turned his head and was not surprised to see it was Obi-Wan, his eyes filled with worry. He had, more than likely, sensed Aalea’s distress through their bond.

Aalea lifted her head from Qui-Gon’s shoulder. She wiped the tears from her eyes and looked over at Obi-Wan. She smiled to let him know she was all right. He smiled back at her. Then he glanced over at Qui-Gon and there was a slightly embarrassed look on his boyish face.

“Have you finished arranging our transport back to Coruscant?” Qui-Gon asked him.

“Yes, Master,” he said as he came over. “A ship should be here within the next few days.”

“Good. What about the destruction of the citadel? Have you heard any more?”

Obi-Wan shook his head. “General Neeshin’s men went over the remains of Rukal’s citadel with a fine-toothed comb. Whatever type of explosion it was, it was quite thorough. Complete and total annihilation.”

Qui-Gon nodded. He had not been surprised to hear of the destruction of the citadel. Whoever Rukal’s dark and mysterious master had been, he had apparently feared that with the Chief Priest’s death it wouldn’t be long before someone discovered something in the citadel which would have identified him.

Qui-Gon frowned. Rukal had been a very adept user of the dark side; whoever this person was, he was extremely dangerous. He would make a full report of it to the Jedi Council once he returned to the Temple. Then, as he thought of the Council, he glanced over at Obi-Wan. He and Obi-Wan had not discussed Qui-Gon’s calling upon the dark side when he had tried to kill Rukal. Over the years he and his apprentice had established such a rapport words were not necessary to express what they felt. He knew Obi-Wan neither blamed nor condemned him.

Obi-Wan gazed back at Qui-Gon, then nodded at his master, letting him know everything was all right. They had survived this. They would go on. Obi-Wan then turned and looked over at Cian.

“Master, what will happen to Cian? There must be something we can do.”

“She’s gone very far way, Obi-Wan. What Rukal did to her, she went as far as she could to escape it.”

Qui-Gon felt Aalea stir in his arms. She moved away from him and stood next to Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan looked down at her and moments passed as they gazed silently at each other. Qui-Gon then realized with a start that they were communicating through their Force bond.

Obi-Wan shook his head, but Aalea reached over and squeezed his arm, her violet eyes determined. Obi-Wan reluctantly nodded.

Aalea turned back to Qui-Gon. “I can find her, Master.”

“The Force matrix,” he said.

Aalea nodded.

“Aalea, you haven’t traversed the matrix in ten years and the last time you did, you almost died.”

“I know, Master, but I was only eight then. And I had to travel far to find you on Dyran. I won’t have to go as far....” Her voice faded.

Qui-Gon nodded. “Maybe not as far physically, but terribly far along whatever path Cian’s awareness has fled. No, I will go. But, if you and Obi-Wan will assist me...?”

“Of course, Master,” Aalea said. She reached over and put her hand on his. “You’d have to use a herd of Tarkasian bulls to drag us out of here.”

“That’s right, Master,“ Obi-Wan said as he placed his hand over Aalea‘s. “Maybe even two herds.”

Qui-Gon smiled, his heart overflowing.

“I am glad you are both here,” he said. “Very well. Return to your quarters. Rest and meditate. You will need all your strength for what lies ahead. We’ll meet here at 1800 hours.”

They both bowed to him. As Qui-Gon watched them leave, he noted how close Aalea walked to Obi-Wan. Just to his left, half a step over, but near enough that, if she wanted to, she could quickly grab his hand.

Qui-Gon turned back to Cian and stroked her hair.

_You were right about them, my love. And I am pleased to see it._

----------------------

***Aalea***

Aalea opened her eyes. She was sitting on the floor of her quarters, her legs folded under her, hands resting on her knees. As Qui-Gon had instructed she had been meditating, preparing herself to aid him in his journey to bring Cian back. She looked down at her wrist chrono. It was nearly 1800 hours.

***Yes, Obi-Wan?***

***Are you ready?***

***Yes, I’ll be right there***

Aalea rose quickly. She ran into the lavatory and dashed cold water on her face. Then, putting on her robe, she left her quarters in the Residence Hall. As she walked down the hallway leading to the outside, she saw First Minister Shiro, Tydre and an older Jalatan woman coming towards her.

“Ah, Mistress Ve’Red,” Shiro called out.

Aalea stopped and bowed to them. “First Minister Shiro, Salu Tydre.” She then looked over at the elderly woman who leaned heavily on Shiro‘s arm.

“My wife, Sala Vati,” Shiro said.

Aalea bowed again. “Sala Vati.”

Vati tilted her head as she looked up at Aalea.

“You were right, my husband. She does have the most beautiful eyes.”

Aalea smiled. “I was on my way to the hospital.”

“Yes, that is why we have come,” Shiro said. “We have heard what you, Master Jinn and Master Kenobi are preparing to do. My wife and I, along with Salu Tydre, would like to be there to help in any way we can. If it is permitted, of course,” he added quickly.

“Of course, First Minister Shiro. I’m sure Master Qui-Gon will be very happy to see you.”

“I have arranged transport for us to the hospital,” Shiro said.

“Thank you. Obi-Wan should be here any moment.”

“I’m here, Aalea,” Obi-Wan said as he walked around the corner. Shiro quickly introduced Obi-Wan to his wife. They then left the Residence Hall and took a shuttle to the hospital.

------------------

Qui-Gon rose from the chair he’d been sitting in as Tydre, Vati and Shiro, along with Obi-Wan and Aalea, entered Cian‘s hospital room.

“Sala Vati, I am honored by your presence,” Qui-Gon said warmly as he bowed to her. “And grateful you would come so far from your home to be here.”

Vati looked up at Qui-Gon as Shiro helped her into a chair.

“She is in trouble, Master Jinn. All the demons of hell could not keep me from her side.”

Qui-Gon nodded. He glanced over to where Tydre stood.

“Thank you for coming also, Salu Tydre.”

“If there is anything I can do, Master Jinn, to undo what I did to her---”

Qui-Gon reached over and put his hand on Tydre’s shoulder and squeezed it.

“You helped us save her.”

Tydre smiled. Then Qui-Gon glanced about the room. "However, if you could find some more chairs."

"Of course, Master Jinn," Tydre said quickly. He ran out the door.

"He'll need help," Obi-Wan said as he followed Tydre.

Soon they were both back with chairs. Qui-Gon instructed them as to how he wanted them placed. He then took a deep breath and looked around at them.

“Cian’s awareness has fled,” he began, “and only by traversing the Force matrix can I hope to bring her back. She does not realize she is no longer in danger. Aalea and Obi-Wan will assist me but, what I will need from you,” and he looked over at Shiro, Vati and Tydre, “are your thoughts, focused as much as possible on Cian. And when you think of her form strong feelings of safety and protection. This will help me.”

“We understand, Master Jinn,” Vati said softly. Shiro and Tydre nodded.

Qui-Gon looked over at Obi-Wan and Aalea. “Are you ready?”

“Yes, Master,” they both said as they removed their robes.

Qui-Gon turned back to Cian. He moved a chair closer to her bed, sat in it, then gently took her hand in his. Obi-Wan and Aalea moved to the other side of the bed. Obi-Wan pulled out a chair for Aalea. She sat, then took Cian’s other hand in hers.

“Aalea,” Qui-Gon said to her, “I will traverse the matrix, but I want you to establish a Force tether with me to help me find my way back. If I should need you, I will call you. But do not come unless I call.”

“Yes, Master.”

Qui-Gon raised his finger to her.

“I mean it, Aalea. Not unless I call.”

Aalea nodded but, still not convinced she would obey him, Qui-Gon glanced over her head at Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan nodded to let Qui-Gon know he would make sure she did as she was told. Qui-Gon then closed his eyes. Breathing deeper, he slowly formed the Force matrix in his mind. It appeared in his awareness as a pulsating nexus of golden light.

Then, turning to where he saw Aalea’s awareness sparkling like a silver globe along the nexus, Qui-Gon watched as she sent him a tether of light. He caught it and held it. Aalea would be his lifeline, helping to guide him back. Then, focusing his awareness on Cian, Qui-Gon sent his consciousness into the shimmering lattice of the matrix in search of her.

--------------------------

Obi-Wan watched as Qui-Gon closed his eyes. The Force matrix was a concept he had never really understood nor mastered. Qui-Gon was only one of a small number of Jedi who could safely traverse it. Through it, a Jedi could send his awareness anywhere in the universe, able to transcend both space and time. But, it was also very dangerous, for one could easily become lost within the matrix.

Qui-Gon had taught Aalea how to move through it when she was just a child. Ten years ago she had used it to find Qui-Gon on the distant world of Dyran. But, as a result, she had nearly died. That was when Obi-Wan had bonded with her and saved her life. He looked down at Aalea who had also closed her eyes. He reached out to her through their bond.

***You don’t have to spy on me, Obi-Wan. I’m not going to disobey him***

***I’m not spying, Aalea. I‘m monitoring***

He felt her smile at him.

***Monitoring is just a fancy word for spying. Now, don’t distract me. I have to concentrate***

Obi-wan sighed. Then, looking down, he saw Aalea reach out blindly with her other hand. He grabbed it and held it. Aalea’s fingers gently squeezed his.

------------------

Qui-Gon’s consciousness sped along the shimmering web of the matrix. Glowing threads of energy flowed past him. He sought desperately for any sign of Cian’s Force signature. He sensed hours had gone by since he had first entered the matrix. He knew he could not remain much longer within it without endangering Aalea. She was still tethered to him, but she was not as strong as he and the longer she remained within the matrix, the weaker she would become. Focusing his awareness Qui-Gon continued his search.

----------------

Obi-Wan was worried. It had been hours since Qui-Gon and Aalea had gone into the matrix. He was still holding her hand but he noted that as time had gone by, it had grown colder. He reached out to her through their bond and, as he had done 10 years ago, gave her some of his life Force. He felt her fingers stir faintly within his hand.

Obi-Wan looked over at Shiro and his wife. Vati, whom Obi-Wan knew was very ill, had not moved from her chair. Her eyes were closed and her wrinkled hands lay folded in her lap. Shiro had sat by his wife the whole time. Obi-Wan sensed the First Minister was as bemused by the whole thing as Obi-Wan was. Tydre, who sat in a chair in a corner, his eyes closed, had not stirred either. Obi-Wan caught Shiro’s glance and he could see his own apprehension reflected in the First Minister’s eyes.

-------------

Qui-Gon gasped. There! He had found her. It was just a tendril among the millions of filaments flickering along the matrix, as fragile as the strand of a spider’s web, but it was Cian's Force signature. Qui-Gon focused on it and sped his awareness along it.

-------------

Aalea shivered. She was growing tired but she was determined not to let go. Qui-Gon was very far away from her now, her Force tether to him so tenuous it was nearly non-existent, but she could still sense him.

Suddenly she felt him speeding away from her. It could only mean one thing. He had found Cian. Aalea took a deep breath and, as she felt Obi-Wan channeling his life Force to her, directed all her awareness towards maintaining her connection to Qui-Gon.

---------------

A landscape took shape within Qui-Gon’s inner awareness. Desolate and barren, it stretched before him, a geography out of nightmare. A range of iron-black mountains belched clouds of dark smoke. Red lightning scoured the earth. Soot and ash blanketed the ground. As Qui-Gon manifested his awareness into physical shape, he saw small deformed creatures scuttling away from him.

This was where Cian’s awareness had fled to escape Rukal‘s torment of her and, as Qui-Gon looked about him, he wondered why Cian had created such a horrendous place in which to hide. Then, his stomach turning, he realized this was Rukal’s doing. He had left this horror in her mind; an emblematic representation of his rape of her. Qui-Gon firmed his jaw, his eyes grim. Cian had not been strong enough to completely escape from Rukal. But she was here. He could feel it.

His eyes searched through the gloom. Then he saw it. Far off on the horizon, underneath the roiling, tortured sky, a solitary silver tower. He ran towards it.

--------------

As Qui-Gon made his way through the cimmerian landscape, he sensed that something was following him. He peered through the gloom but saw nothing. His hands itched for his lighsaber. He stopped for a moment and tried to visualize it. Nothing happened. He could only surmise that since he was in Cian’s consciousness, there were some things he would not be able to do.

Qui-Gon continued toward the silver tower. Black clouds boiled overhead and a sharp wind blew against him. Just as he was making his way over a small hummock, the creature struck.

It plowed into him from behind, knocking him to the ground. Qui-Gon rolled on his side as he tried to get from under it. It was heavy and the thick mustiness of its fur filled his lungs. He pushed it away and leapt up.

Qui-Gon’s stomach twisted. The creature which faced him was four-footed with a body like the were-lions of Xiu. It had a wide mouth which was filled with three rows of razor sharp teeth. But what really caused the bile to rise in Qui-Gon’s throat were its features. They were humanoid and the face was that of Rukal.

Qui-Gon backed away. The creature growled as he did so. It inched forward, its massive head low, its human face twisted with blood-lust, the muscles in its powerful haunches flexing and rippling under its mustard-colored pelt. Qui-Gon knew the creature was nothing more than another representation of Rukal’s torment of Cian, but it was still dangerous. What happened in the Force matrix had repercussions in the real world. If the creature killed him here, he would die there.

Qui-Gon searched around for anything he could use as a weapon, but saw nothing. He again tried to visualize his lightsaber, but was unsuccessful. The creature growled, then, lightning quick, sprung at him.

As they tumbled to the ground, Qui-Gon drove his arm into the creature’s chest. It snarled and slavered as it tried to sink its teeth into Qui-Gon‘s neck. Shifting under it, Qui-Gon brought his arm up and pressed it against the creature’s throat.

His muscles bunching, Qui-Gon then twisted and rolled on top of it. The creature ripped at his tunic with its claws, but Qui-Gon did not lessen his hold. As he pushed harder against its throat, the creature roared, its three rows of teeth snapping at his face.

As Qui-Gon slowly strangled the creature he found it disturbingly satisfying. He knew the creature wasn’t real, but it had Rukal’s face and that was enough for Qui-Gon. He pressed harder and watched as the life slowly dimmed in the creature’s dark orange eyes. Finally, it lay still.

Qui-Gon stood. He took a deep breath and quickly checked himself for injuries. He had a few scratches on his chest underneath the tears in his tunic, but nothing significant.

Turning around he wondered if there were more such horrors lying in wait for him. He hoped not. He didn’t have much time. He ran quickly towards the silver tower. Upon reaching it, he noted there were no doors or windows in its smoothly glowing sides. He placed his hands on it. He could feel Cian’s life Force in the stones.

“Cian” he cried. “Cian.”

There was no answer. Qui-Gon pounded on the sides of the tower. It was no use. If Cian was inside she either couldn’t or wouldn’t hear him. Qui-Gon took a deep breath and concentrated. He moved his hand slowly across the tower wall. A door formed within the stones. Stepping inside Qui-Gon saw a flight of stairs leading to the top of the tower. He ran up them.

When he reached the top he found himself in a large chamber. It was windowless. It was also completely empty except for a single silver chair. Cian sat in it, clad in a long white gown. She stared at him, her dark gray eyes wide.

She leapt from the chair and backed away from him.

“No!” she gasped. “Go away!”

“Cian, don’t be afraid,” Qui-Gon said as he walked towards her. “It‘s Qui-Gon. I‘ve come to---”

“Stay away!” she screamed. “You killed him. I saw you kill him. Now you’re trying to trick me by pretending to be him.”

Qui-Gon moved slowly towards her.

“It’s not a trick, Cian,” he said soothingly. “You’re safe now. I’ve come to take you home.”

Cian shook her head, her dark red hair swinging wildly about her.

“I don’t believe you. Qui-Gon is dead. I saw him die.” She lifted her hands and stared at them, her eyes wide with grief. “I felt him die,” she sobbed. “I tried so hard to save him. I tried so hard!”

Qui-Gon reached out to her. Cian stumbled away from him as she backed against the wall.

“Cian, please, take my hand. Don’t be afraid. What you saw was an illusion. If you take my hand, you will know I speak the truth.”

Cian whimpered, her throat working. She stared back at him, her eyes filling with tears.

“Trust me, Cian. I would never lie to you.”

Qui-Gon watched as Cian closed her eyes, tears spilling beneath her lashes, her chest rising and falling quickly. She was so frightened. He longed so much to take her into his arms, but he had to let her come to him.

Cian opened her eyes and then, slowly, reached out her hand. Qui-Gon took it and held it gently.

At his touch, her eyes widened.

“Qui-Gon?” she whispered. “Oh, by the Lady.” She ran sobbing into his arms. Qui-Gon held her close as she wept, her face pressed into his chest, her body shaking with the violence of her anguish.

“It’s all right, Cian,” he said softly as he stroked her hair. “You’re safe now. You’re safe.”

After a time, when her tears were finally spent, Cian looked up. Then QUi-Gon saw a dread realization steal across her face. She pushed away from him.

“Cian, what’s wrong?”

She put her hands to her face, shook her head.

“Don’t look at me, Qui-Gon. Please, don’t look at me.”

“Cian....”

“He tried to make me turn. But I wouldn‘t. I wouldn‘t. Then he hurt me and then...” She swallowed, took a deep breath. “He....he raped me.”

Qui-Gon’s heart lurched in his chest. Cian gazed back at him, her eyes swimming with tears. Qui-Gon moved towards her, but she backed away. She closed her eyes, her throat working.

“When I couldn’t stand it any longer,” she whispered, “I took myself away. But I couldn‘t escape him completely. I wasn’t strong enough.”

“Cian,” Qui-Gon said softly. “You were strong. You survived.”

Cian opened her eyes and stared at him for a long moment. Then, looking down, she clasped her hands before her.

“Is he, is he....?”

“Yes, he’s dead.”

Cian looked quickly up. “You didn’t...?”

Qui-Gon shook his head. “General Neeshin killed him. But I came very close. I almost turned, Cian.”

“Oh, my poor, dear,” she said as she gazed over at him. “For me you would have risked so much?”

“Yes, for you.” Qui-Gon swallowed heavily. “If Obi-Wan hadn’t stopped me, I would have killed him.”

Cian rushed over to him. She took his hands and squeezed them.

“No, don’t say that, Qui-Gon. You wouldn’t have. I know you wouldn’t have. You are as I love you. Good and strong.”

Then she looked at his tunic and touched the rips in it.

“How did this happen?”

Qui-Gon shook his head. “That doesn‘t matter, Cian. The only thing that matters is you.” He cupped her face with his hands. “Please, come back with me. They’re all waiting for you. They want you to come home.”

“They?”

Qui-Gon took her arm. He was afraid she was going to pull away but she let him lead her to the wall of the tower. He reached out and, moving his hand across the stones, quickly shaped a window. He felt Cian jerk against his hand as she looked out on the nightmare landscape.

“Don’t look at the land, Cian. Look there. At the horizon.”

Cian moved closer to the window. There was a break in the dark clouds and through it a wall of light shimmered, a rainbow of colors splashing across it. Cian gazed at it in wonder.

“Do you feel it?” Qui-Gon asked.

“Yes. Yes, I do. It feels safe and warm. What is it?”

“It’s home, Cian. Aalea and Obi-Wan, Shiro, Vati and Tydre. They are all there waiting for you to come back to them.”

“Aalea and Obi-Wan?

“Yes. They disobeyed Yoda and the Council to come to Jalat to help me look for you.”

“And Tydre?” Her voice shook.

“Yes, he’s there too. He took care of you, Cian, and helped us find you.”

Qui-Gon took her gently by the shoulders and turned her around to face him.

“Come with me, Cian. Please.”

Cian looked at him for a long moment. Qui-Gon could see fear and hope warring in her eyes. Then, finally, she nodded. She glanced fearfully at the stairs which led to the outside.

“What about the Beast?” she said, her voice trembling. “I heard it roaring earlier.”

Qui-Gon stared at her. Then he realized Cian was talking about the creature that had attacked him.

“The Beast can no longer hurt you, Cian. But, we won’t have to go that way. Just hold onto my hand. And no matter what happens, concentrate on me.”

Cian nodded, her eyes gazing somberly up at him.

Qui-Gon touched her gently between her brows.

“Close your eyes and focus on me.”

Cian closed her eyes. Qui-Gon took a deep breath and launched himself back along the matrix. He felt Cian’s awareness next to his as he found Aalea‘s tether and sped along it.

--------------------

Aalea’s hand jerked in Obi-Wan’s.

“Aalea,” he cried. He looked down at her. Her eyelids fluttered. He glanced over at Qui-Gon and saw his master was also stirring. They were coming out of it. With a shudder, both Aalea and Qui-Gon opened their eyes. Vati opened her eyes and sighed deeply and Shiro, who had been dozing in a nearby chair, woke up. Tydre opened his eyes and looked about him, a slightly dazed look on his face.

Obi-Wan’s eyes darted between Aalea and Qui-Gon. They both looked a bit shaken, but appeared to be all right.

“Did you find her, Master?” Obi-Wan asked.

Qui-Gon looked over at Cian’s bed.

“See for yourself, Obi-Wan.”

Obi-Wan turned and was surprised and delighted to see Cian gazing back at him, her dark gray eyes warm. She smiled.

“Obi-Wan,” she said softly, “Why, I do believe you’ve grown even more handsomer since I last saw you.”

“Mistress Nyal,” Obi-Wan cried, his eyes filling with tears.

Cian then turned to Aalea. She reached up and touched her padawan braid.

“What’s this in your hair, dear? It’s very becoming.”

“A gift from Obi-Wan,” Aalea whispered.

She then laid her head next to Cian’s shoulder and sobbed. Cian reached over and stroked her hair.

“Shhh, don’t cry, dove. Don’t cry.”

As Aalea wept on her shoulder, Cian looked over at Qui-Gon. Obi-Wan’s heart jumped in his chest at the impassioned look that passed between them. Qui-Gon then slowly lifted Cian’s hand and kissed it. She smiled at him. As Qui-Gon laid her hand down, Cian looked over at Shiro, Vati and Tydre.

“Sala Vati,” she said. “You are here.”

Shiro helped Vati over to Cian’s bed. Qui-Gon stepped aside as the older woman approached.

“Yes, my dear,” Vati said as she took Cian’s hand. “I am here. And I am so glad you have returned to us.” Then her dark orange eyes twinkled. “And have you forgotten, Cian? I thought we had agreed we would not be so formal with each other.”

Cian smiled. “Forgive me, Vati. And thank you. Thank you for being here. For helping me home.”

Vati patted Cian’s hand. Shiro then leaned down and kissed Cian on the forehead.

“Welcome back, Mistress Nyal. I cannot express, for fear my words would not do justice to what is in my heart, how very, very happy I am to look once more into your beautiful eyes so full of life. Yes, yes, welcome back, my good and dear friend, welcome back!”

“Thank you, First Minister,” Cian said. She peered round to where Tydre stood by himself in a corner. She lifted her hand and beckoned him closer. Obi-Wan could see trepidation in Tydre’s eyes as he moved next to Cian’s bed for he was the one who had betrayed her to Rukal.

“Mistress Nyal,” he began. “I want to say....

Cian took his hand in hers.

“You don‘t have to say anything, Salu Tydre. I know it was you who took care of me when I was....away. Thank you.”

Tydre dipped his head. He backed away and stood next to Shiro and Vati.

“What is going on in here?”

Obi-Wan turned and saw Cian’s Jalatan doctor standing in the doorway.

“All you people should not be---.”

The doctor stopped, her mouth open when she saw Cian was conscious.

“How? When?”

The doctor walked quickly over and pulled a small medscanner out of the pocket of her jacket. She ran it over Cian.

“Amazing,” she murmured. She turned and looked at everyone.

“What happened? How did she---”

Qui-Gon gestured towards the doctor’s medscanner.

“Is she all right, Doctor?”

“What?” The doctor started. She glanced at the medscanner. “Yes, yes she’s fine. A bit dehydrated, but I still don’t....” Then the doctor’s eyes sharpened.

“All right. All of you. Out. Right now. She’s going to need her rest.

The doctor began shepherding them all out. Aalea kissed Cian on the cheek and promised she would be back in the morning. Obi-Wan reached over and kissed her also. Shiro, Vati and Tydre were already on their way out, Shiro calling back they would see her tomorrow.

Qui-Gon, however, had not moved from Cian’s beside. He and the doctor conversed quietly. The doctor shook her head; then with a deep sigh, nodded.

Qui-Gon leaned over and lessened the light on the table next to Cian’s bed. He then pulled up a chair and sat next to her bed.

“Come along, young man,” the doctor said as she walked towards Obi-Wan who was standing by the door. “Your master is going to stay with her tonight. You, on the other hand, can come back in the morning.”

The doctor then gently, but firmly, pushed Obi-Wan ahead of her as she closed the door behind them.

--------------------

As Cian watched her friends leave, she smiled. When the door closed, she turned her head and gazed over at Qui-Gon. He looked back at her, his blue eyes full of warmth. She still couldn’t believe he was alive. When she had felt him die, it had torn her soul apart. Then, as Rukal had raped her, she had used her Force abilities to flee from the pain and the humiliation. However, she hadn’t been strong enough to escape him totally, thus she had built that tower in her mind on the landscape of horror Rukal had left within her, determined to spend all eternity there, if need be, mourning over the loss of her only love. But he was here and he was alive and Cian drank of his presence as if he were water quenching her soul’s thirst.

Then as Cian continued to gaze up at Qui-Gon, something she had observed between Obi-Wan and Aalea leapt to her mind.

“Did you see them, Qui-Gon? The way they were together?”

“See who?” he asked gently.

“Aalea and Obi-Wan.”

Qui-Gon laughed softly. “Yes, I saw.”

“And you are not displeased?”

“I am happy for them. But, I think as you noted before, they are still not completely aware of their feelings for each other.”

Cian smiled. “That will come in time.”

She sighed and closed her eyes for a moment. Then she opened them and looked over at Qui-Gon.

“Thank you for coming for me.”

He leaned over and took her hand.

“As Sala Vati said, all the demons of hell could not have kept me from you.” He bent down and kissed her forehead. “Do you forgive me?”

“Forgive you?”

“For not being there. For not protecting you.”

Cian shook her head. “Don’t blame yourself, dear.” She reached up and stroked his face.

He nodded and kissed the palm of her hand.

“You should get some rest, Qui-Gon,” Cian said as she noted the dark circles under his eyes.

“I will. Later. Remember, Cian, I am a Jedi. We can go weeks without sleep, or so it is said.” There was a teasing light in his eyes.

Cian scoffed at that. Qui-Gon laughed. Then Cian sighed heavily.

“I want to go home.”

“Our transport to Coruscant will be here in a few days.”

Cian nodded and then, like the remnants of a bad dream, she found herself remembering it again; the pain, the terror, the shame. Qui-Gon quickly took her hand.

“Don’t think about it, Cian.”

“How can I not?” she askied, her voice filled with tears. “It happened.”

“Yes, it did and that can not be changed. But that is the past, Cian. All that matters now is the future.”

“The future?” she murmured.

“Yes, the future. Our future” He leaned close to her. His large hand cupped her face and held it gently.

“I love you, Cian,” he said softly. “I love you more than life itself.”

Cian felt her heart melting within.

“And I love you,” she said, “but then, you always knew that, didn‘t you?”

Qui-Gon nodded. He then leaned over and kissed her softly. At the touch of his lips on hers, Cian’s soul soared.

He pulled back. “Now, I want you to rest, my love.” He reached over and slowly stroked her hair.

“Go to sleep,” he said and Cian felt him touch her mind with the Force.

As she fell into the gentle darkness and sweet silence of slumber, the last thing she saw were Qui-Gon’s eyes, full of love, gazing down at her.

--------------------

Obi-Wan looked around. The doctor had hurried away to answer a summons. Shiro, Tydre and Vati were also gone. Then he saw Aalea standing at the end of the corridor, her back to him. He walked quickly over to her and touched her shoulder.

“Aalea,” he said gently.

Aalea turned and looked at him for a long moment. Then, without a word, she threw her arms about his waist.

***Oh, Obi-Wan. I don’t know what I would do if I ever lost you***

Obi-Wan looked down in surprise as Aalea clung to him.

***Aalea, what are you saying?***

She pulled away from him and lifted her head, tears sparkling in her violet eyes.

“I love you, Obi-Wan,” she whispered. “I love you so much.”

Obi-Wan’s heart turned over. He lifted his hands and slowly stroked away the tears at the corners of her eyes.

“And I love you, angel eyes.”

They gazed at each other for a long moment. Then, Obi-Wan lowered his head and gently kissed her and, as Aalea returned his kiss, her mouth moving slowly over his, they flowed to each other through their Force bond.

***My love, my love. My sweet, sweet love***

***Yes, always, dearheart, always***

------------------

Part Twenty-Nine

Qui-Gon sat in the Jedi Temple’s gardens, surrounded by the flora and fauna from a thousand worlds in the Republic. Set within the gardens were dozen of alcoves like the one in which he waited where a person could sit, alone or with a companion, and enjoy the beauty of the gardens. Qui-Gon was alone at the moment.

Chrysanthemums, Jaharan roses, dahlias, and Kabalan lilacs flooded the air with their varied scents. Asaari and wroshyr trees, Rishian rainwood, cypress, oaks and cedars soared above him. Birdsong trilled through the air. Qui-Gon took a deep breath, and closing his eyes, gave himself up to the Living Force which enveloped him.

At the sound of soft clicking to his right, Qui-Gon opened his eyes. One of the grounds-keeping droids was bent over, trimming back one of the hedges. It turned its softly glowing eyes toward him and bowed. Qui-Gon nodded. The droid turned back to its work.

Qui-Gon sighed. It had been nearly four months since he, Obi-Wan, Aalea and Cian had returned from Jalat. During that time much had happened. The Jalatan Council had voted unanimously to establish relations with the Republic. As a result, because of Jalat’s access to the vast medical knowledge of the thousands of worlds within the Republic a cure had been found for Sala Vati’s illness.

That news had filled Qui-Gon with joy when he had watched the hololetter from Shiro detailing her recovery. Shiro had also informed him that Tydre, despite his youth, had been elected the new Chief Priest of the religious caste. And last, but not least, the First Minister’s impassioned petition to the Jedi Council on behalf of Obi-Wan and Aalea had prevented the two young Jedi from suffering any major repercussions for having disobeyed Yoda. However, both had had to appear before the Jedi Council and receive stern reprimands for their conduct. It had been a sobering experience for them both.

Qui-Gon smiled as he thought of them. It was apparent that the two now shared a deep affection for each other, as much as they tried to hide it. In public they acted towards each other with a reserved formality, but Qui-Gon had noted the soft looks which passed between them when they thought no one was looking and the way their eyes lit up whenever the other came near.

Qui-Gon folded him arms within his robe. He had told Cian he was not displeased about their affection for each other but it still concerned him. The Jedi path was a hard one and he did not want to see either of them hurt.

Then he heard the click of Yoda’s staff as he made his way down the cobbled walkway. Upon Qui-Gon’s return from Jalat he had met with Yoda and told him what had happened when he had battled Rukal, how he called upon the dark side to defeat the Jalatan priest and how close he had come to killing him and turning. Yoda had stared at him for a long time, then gently chided him.

“Not a machine are you, Qui-Gon,” he had said, “still human are you. Your mastery of the Force is great but, since the Force is infinite, never will you master it completely.”

As Yoda approached, Qui-Gon stood and bowed to the diminutive Jedi Master. Yoda nodded, then waved his staff indicating Qui-Gon could resume his seat. He did, watching as Yoda sat down in the small chair which Qui-Gon had brought from one of the other alcoves.

Yoda sighed deeply as he adjusted his tunic about him. He laid the staff on the ground, then peered over at Qui-Gon.

“Troubled are you.”

“Not at all, Master.”

Yoda grunted. “Bad liar are you, also.”

Qui-Gon smiled. “As always you see through me, my Master.”

“Not difficult with one such as you, Qui-Gon.”

“You wished to see me about something, Master?” Qui-Gon said quickly to change the subject.

Yoda narrowed his eyes and stared at Qui-Gon.

“Change subject if you wish. Back to it I will come. But yes, regarding events on Jalat I wished to speak with you. The Council read your report. Much have we discussed it. What happened there, along with the Force collar which was used on Padawan Aalea and other events have led us to believe forces are at work within the Republic. Dark forces.”

Qui-Gon nodded. “Rukal’s mysterious master.”

“Yes, unfortunately no evidence of who that is have we uncovered. Hard to see the dark side is.”

“That is true, my Master,” Qui-Gon said softly.

“Now, back to subject I return. What troubles you?”

Qui-Gon sighed. It was no use. He knew Yoda would not give up until he had unburdened his heart.

“Master, what place does love have within the Force?”

“The Force _is_ love, Qui-Gon,” Yoda said. “Know that you do.”

“That’s not what I meant, Master.”

Yoda tilted his head. “Oh, I see. Of sexual love you mean.”

Qui-Gon felt himself blushing, something he had not done in a very long time. He glanced away from Yoda and fastened his gaze on a large bee which floated drowsily from one blossom to another. Yoda waited. Qui-Gon turned back to him.

“Yes, that is what I mean.”

“A part of the Force as anything else is sexual love, Qui-Gon. From it comes life. The Force permeates life. Therefore, within the Force there is for that a place. But, as with anything, approached it must be with reverence and reflection.”

Qui-Gon nodded.

Yoda leaned forward and lowered his voice.

“Of Mistress Nyal, do you ask of this?”

Qui-Gon took a deep breath. “I am in love with her, Master.”

“This I know.”

Qui-Gon looked sharply over at Yoda.

Yoda nodded. “Since from Jalat you returned, difference have I noted in you. That you love her only explanation. But, you are afraid.”

“Yes, Master,” Qui-Gon admitted. “I don’t want to hurt her. She’s been hurt enough.”

“Yes,” Yoda agreed softly. “How is she?”

“She’s been going to a counselor and she’s also spent some time with Healer Sklar. She says she’s fine, but...”

“You suspect otherwise.”

Qui-Gon nodded. “I spend as much time with her as I can. As do Aalea and Obi-Wan and yet, there is still this place inside her which remains unhealed.”

Yoda gazed with compassion at his former apprentice.

“Desire for her you have?”

“Yes, my Master,” Qui-Gon said, his voice barely audible. “Very much so.”

“Scarred by this Rukal she has been?”

Qui-Gon took a deep shuddering breath. “Yes,” he said, his voice tight with pain.

“Help her you can, but risk is great. To her. To you.”

“I understand.”

“No, I think not, Qui-Gon. Not risk to body do I speak of, but here,” and Yoda reached over and placed his hand over Qui-Gon’s heart, “is where you risk. By helping her in this way, you may, in the long run, hurt her even more.”

“I would rather die than hurt Cian.”

“Of course, Qui-Gon, this I know, but with love there is always pain.”

“What should I do, Master?”

“Long has your service to the Order been. Some happiness I think you are owed. But, do what you must. As you have always done.”

Yoda reached down and picked up his staff. He stood. Qui-Gon also stood and bowed to him. Yoda turned and started down the cobbled path, but before he disappeared around the corner, he turned back to Qui-Gon.

“Remember. With love pain will there always be, but without love nothing there is but the abyss.”

Yoda then turned and hobbled away.

Qui-Gon stood for a moment, reflecting on Yoda’s words. Then, before he could turn to leave the garden, the droid he had seen earlier moved in front of him. It handed him a single Jaharan rose.

“For Mistress Cian,” it said. Then it turned and walked away through the gardens.

Qui-Gon stared down at the rose. The lush violet petals sparkled with dew. He lifted it to his face and its scent rushed through him like a river which had suddenly broken free of its banks. He closed his eyes and let it sweep him away.

-----------------

Later that evening, Qui-Gon made his way alone down the bustling avenues of Coruscant. His thoughts churned inside him. He had been mulling over not only his talk earlier with Yoda, but also the last time he had seen Cian. It had been a few days ago. They had been at her apartment, having just finished dinner. Then, suddenly, Cian had asked him why he could not bring himself to touch her. Qui-Gon had looked back at her, caught off guard by the question.

“What do you mean, Cian?”

“Ever since we came back to Coruscant, you haven’t touched me. Not since that night in the hospital.”

“Cian, I meant nothing by it. I wanted to give you time.”

Cian shook her head, her eyes filling with tears.

“At first I thought I was just imagining it, but it’s been four months.”

Cian folded her arms across her chest and sighed heavily. Tears spilled down her cheeks. When Qui-Gon reached out to her, she backed away and asked him to leave. When he contacted her the next day, she told him she understood why he was so ill at ease with her. When Qui-Gon had tried to explain he was not, he had suddenly realized Cian was right. But not for the reasons she thought.

Qui-Gon sighed as he walked down the street. He _was_ uncomfortable around Cian, but not because of Rukal’s rape of her. It was because he loved her more than he had ever thought possible. And yet, he still could not find it within his heart to open himself to that love completely. He was a Jedi. His entire life had been devoted to the will of the Force. There had never been any room in it for love. Yet, despite his misgivings and his fears, Qui-Gon’s heart beat hard at the thought of how much he wanted to be with her, to touch her, and to show her the beauty which dwelt within her despite what had been done to her.

Qui-Gon stopped for a moment and looked up at the star-dappled sky. The universe stretched out around him; vast, dark, and infinite. Billions of stars burned within an eternity of emptiness and around those stars myriad worlds turned; some dark and barren, others bright and fertile. And yet, Qui-Gon suddenly realized, all that was nothing, he was nothing, without love.

Qui-Gon looked away from the sky and down at his hand. In it he carried the Jaharan rose the grounds-keeping droid had given him. Then he saw, without surprise, that he was standing in front of the pathway which led to Cian’s apartment. He hesitated for only a moment, then walked swiftly to her door. He pressed the chime.

-----------

Cian woke to the sound of the door chime. She turned sleepily over and looked at the tablechrono. Who could be visiting at this time of night? She got up, quickly wrapped a robe about her and hurried towards the door. She opened it.Qui-Gon stood in the doorway, the night sky a star-bejeweled backdrop behind the tall silhouette of his shadowed figure.

Cian’s heart beat quickly. Her throat moved, but she couldn’t speak. She had been so afraid she had hurt him and he would never return. Suddenly there was a universe of words she wanted to say to him, but she was frozen, unable to move.

Then Qui-Gon reached over and handed her a long package. She took it from his hand, slowly unwrapped it. It was a single Jaharan rose.

“Oh, Qui-Gon,” she whispered.

“May I come in?” he asked.

“Of course, forgive me.” Cian stepped back as he walked through the door.

She closed the door behind him and gazed down at the rose.

“It’s lovely, Qui-Gon. Thank you.”

“Actually, it’s not from me.”

She looked up at him quizzically.

“I mean, it is from me." he said, "No, what I meant is a droid in the Temple gardens gave it to me to give to you.”

Cian nodded. “I’ll put it in a vase.”

She went into the kitchen. Qui-Gon followed her. Reaching up Cian pulled a vase from a shelf, quickly filled it with water and gently placed the rose inside it. She lowered her face to its rich blossom and drank in its sweet scent. Then she lifted her head and spoke quietly, her back to Qui-Gon.

“I’m sorry for the way I acted the other night, Qui-Gon. You’ve been so kind and patient with me and all I know to do is act like a monster. Can you ever forgive me?”

Cian felt him move to stand behind her. Then slowly he put his arms around her. She sighed deeply as she leaned back against his broad chest. His beard rubbed against the side of her forehead.

“That tickles,” she said softly.

“What tickles?” he said, brushing his lips against her hair.

“Your beard. It tickles.”

“It’s not supposed to tickle,” he murmured.

“Well, it does.”

“Shall I shave it off for you? Would that please you, my lady?”

Cian laughed softly. “Don’t you dare.”

Qui-Gon reached up and put his hands on Cian’s shoulders. He turned her around to face him. Then, without a word, he gathered her up in his arms. Cian pressed her face against his shoulder as he carried her to the bedroom. Her pulse quickened and she trembled in his arms when Qui-Gon laid her slowly upon the bed. He sat next to her, his large hand caressing her face as he gazed down at her.

“I love you, Cian.” he said softly. “And I shall love and protect and cherish you as long as you live. And beyond. Will you have me?”

Cian didn’t answer right away. She had yearned for this moment for so long and yet, what should have been precious had been ripped away from her, sullied and despoiled. She wasn’t the same person anymore. Rukal had seen to that. Her eyes filled with tears and they spilled down her face.

Qui-Con stroked away her tears as they fell. Cian’s pulse pounded, for the touch of his hand on her face was almost unbearable in its tenderness.

“Tell me,” he urged gently.

“I had wanted you to be the first,” she said in a choked voice.

“Listen to me, Cian,” he said. “What happened on Jalat; that was not love. I _will_ be the first, if that is what you want.”

“Oh, yes, I do, I do want it,” she cried.

“But if you’re not yet ready---”

She reached up and stopped his mouth with her hand.

“Qui-Gon?”

“Yes?”

“Kiss me.”

“Are you certain?”

Cian nodded. Qui-Gon leaned over and slowly pressed his lips to hers. Cian closed her eyes and then, shyly, returned his kiss and, as her desire for him surged through her she moaned softly. Encouraged by her response, Qui-Gon gradually deepened the kiss, his mouth moving over hers so slowly Cian could only imagine he wanted to savor the taste of her.

Cian slipped her hands up Qui-Gon’s chest and around his neck. He gathered her into his arms, pulling her close. Then, moving slowly, Qui-Gon pressed her down onto the bed, kissing her all the while, his lips soft and warm on hers.

But, as they kissed, Cian suddenly had a flashback of Rukal’s body pressed cruelly down on hers and a whimper escaped her throat. Qui-Gon quickly broke the kiss and pulled slightly away from her. He reached down and gently held her face.

“We don‘t have to,” he whispered.

Cian shook her head. “I want you so, it’s just that---”

“Shhhh,” he said, his fingers trailing across her trembling lips. “You don’t have to explain.”

He stroked her cheek, then with a deep sigh, laid next to her, his arms warm and strong about her, his hair tickling her cheek. And for long quiet moments they lay together, the only sounds their mingled breaths.
Cian sighed and turned in Qui-Gon’s embrace so she could slip her arms about him. She was grateful he was giving her time. Then she felt Qui-Gon stir and reach across her.

“What’s this?” he asked.

Cian turned her head. He was holding a tiny golden vial which had been sitting on her nightstand. The vial glowed in the darkness.

“Oh, Aalea left that here. It was given to her by Princess Nadira. I keep forgetting to return it. Could you take it back to her for me?”

“Of course,” Qui-Gon said as he turned the tiny vial in his fingers. “Fascinating. The way it seems to glow with its own light.”

“Aalea said it’s called the Attar of Love.”

“Interesting name. What does it smell like?”

“I don’t know. Aalea brought it over because she knew I loved perfumes. She thought I‘d might like to sample it, but we were so busy talking about other things we forgot to open it.”

Cian reached over and took the vial from Qui-Gon. She pulled out the stopper. Immediately a scent unlike anything she had ever known enveloped her. It was moonlight and sunrise, spring rain and winter snow, tears and sighs and dreams. Cian closed her eyes. Before she knew what she was doing she swept the stopper across her neck.

Then she felt Qui-Gon’s hands on hers. She opened her eyes. He took the vial from her, closed it and put it back on the nightstand. He then buried his face in her neck. Cian felt him breathing deeply of the perfume, his breath warm on her skin.

“Cian,” he whispered, as he touched her neck with his lips. “I love you. And I want you. I want you so much.”

She trembled as his arms tightened around her.

“And I you. But then, you’ve always known that.”

Qui-Gon held Cian for a moment longer, then he stood. His eyes never leaving hers he slowly removed his clothes, allowing her the opportunity to stop him if she wished, but she only gazed up at him, her eyes soft and warm.

When he was done, he sat on the edge of the bed and watched as Cian rose and took off her robe. She then reached up and slowly drew down the straps of her sleepgown. A lump formed in Qui-Gon’s chest. Though he had seen her naked that day in the saunahouse on Jalat, for her to do this after what Rukal had done to her was a precious gift.

As Cian pushed the gown down her body, Qui-Gon could see her pulse beating furiously in her throat. His own heart was near close to breaking as he watched her loveliness slowly revealed. When the gown was off, he gently took it from her and laid it on a chair next to the bed.

He then turned and gazed at her. He reached up and held her face with his hands, his fingers lightly stroking her cheeks, the curve of her jaw, the fullness of her lips. He then grazed his hands down her neck, along her shoulders and over her arms. Cian trembled as he did so.

Qui-Gon drew her closer to him, his eyes roaming over the satiny swelling of her high full breasts. He reached up and gently cupped them. Cian shivered.

“Beautiful,” he whispered.

He then slid his hands down her slender waist, over her softly rounded hips and down to her smooth thighs which he slowly stroked as he smiled at her, his eyes smoldering. Cian had never dreamed his hands could be so warm and gentle.

She, in turn, drew her fingers across his wide strong brow, along the sides of his face, over his mustache and across the sensual firmness of his lips. Her fingers tangled gently in his beard, then she slowly stroked his shoulder length hair.

Cian then sighed deeply as she beheld his powerful, well-muscled body. Her blood flooded warmly as she ran her hands across his wide shoulders and broad chest, her fingers strumming over his taut stomach. Then her eyes fell onto the glory of his manhood as it lay against him and she felt herself softening as she imagined it inside her. Qui-Gon’s eyes followed her gaze. He looked back at her and smiled.

He then quickly drew her into his arms and looked deeply into her dark gray eyes. Cian’s skin tingled at the feel of his bare flesh against hers and she gasped when his chest rubbed against her breasts.

“Are you all right?” he asked gently.

She nodded.

“Do you know how beautiful you are?” he whispered as he stroked her hair.

Cian shook her head.

“More beautiful than anything I could have imagined or dreamt of in a thousand nights.”

She smiled at him, than a look of concern crossed her face.

“Qui-Gon, I’m not on any kind of conception regulator.”

“Don’t worry. I’ve taken care of that,” he murmured as he kissed her neck.

Qui-Gon leaned slowly back on the bed, pulling her down with him so that she lay on top of him, her hair spilling across his face. He lifted the dark red tresses and swept them over her shoulders. Then, reaching up, he drew her face down to his and slowly kissed her with a hunger which belied his outward calm.

Cian gasped and braided her fingers through his hair as she pressed her mouth onto his. A red-hot glow began to smolder in her body as Qui-Gon wrapped his arms tight about her. Then, he quickly turned her over so that he was on top.

“Sweet, Cian’ he whispered as he gazed down at her. He slowly lowered his lips to hers, his kiss leisurely and thoughtful. Then, her heart fluttering in her chest, Qui-Gon slipped his tongue into her mouth. Cian moaned softly as he deeply kissed her.

After long shuddering moments of delight as their tongues slid and rolled about the other, Qui-Gon gently broke the kiss and looked down at her. Cian’s throat quivered, her lips trembling from the deep lush soul kiss he had given her.

“We have all night, Cian,” he whispered as he caressed her face. “Do you trust me?”

“Yes. I trust you. I’ve always trusted you,” she said, her heart thundering.

“Then let me show you what is possible when a man and a woman love each other. May I?”

“Yes, my love,” she sighed. “Show me. Show me everything.”

Qui-Gon smiled, his blue eyes so full of passion they seemed to burn through to her soul. He kissed her again, but soon his kisses moved from her mouth to her neck. He kissed the pulsing hollow at the base of her throat; he then moved up her neck---small, delicate touches which left a trail of fire---then along her shoulder and to ear; then back again, from ear to shoulder, anointing kisses on her skin.

As Qui-Gon made his way back to her ear, he nipped and sucked at the delicate ridge of her earlobe. Then, slowly, he moved his tongue into the hollow of her ear, swirling it deep inside. Cian hissed and clutched the hard muscles of his arms with trembling fingers.

Qui-Gon tongued her ear for long moments then, as Cian inhaled sharply, he moved his head down until he reached the firm swelling of her breasts. His mouth slowly caressed her entire breast, his tongue sliding over the smooth skin. He knew Cian thought her breasts were too big, but Qui-Gon thought they were beautiful. They were so lush and round and warm.

“Lovely, lovely,” he whispered against her skin as he mouthed her.

“You don’t think they’re too big,” Cian asked softly.

Qui-Gon raised his head and looked up into her anxious eyes.

“No, of course not, love. They’re perfect.”

He then cupped a breast in each hand and caressed them and, as he did, the palms of his hands tingled. Cian closed her eyes and sighed as Qui-Gon slowly twirled his thumbs about her soft nipples. They hardened quickly, the dusky tips shivering erect.

“That’s it, my love,” he said softly. “Show me how much you want me.”

Cian opened her eyes and gazed up at Qui-Gon, her dark gray eyes sultry.

“I do want you,” she murmured. “Oh, I do.”

Qui-Gon smiled as he continued to smoothly massage Cian’s breasts, his breath warm and heavy on her body. Then, when he lowered his mouth onto one of her nipples, Cian let out a sharp gasp as Qui-Gon slowly licked it with the tip of his tongue. Cian whipped her head across the bed, her body arching against him as he rolled the swollen nub around his tongue, kneaded it with his lips, then rubbed his beard against it.

“Oh, that feels so good, Qui,” Cian whispered. “Don’t stop, darling. Please don‘t stop.”

Qui-Gon answered her by gently drawing her breast deeper into his mouth. He then strongly sucked at the tortured peak. Cian whimpered, her breath harsh in her throat.

Qui-Gon then let Cian’s breast slide softly out of his mouth; but, just as he was about to let it slip away, he drew it back hard between his lips; he then established a rhythm as he sucked; soft, hard, soft, hard, the sucking increasing in tempo as Cian’s moans came faster.

Then, at one point, as Cian squirmed and sighed beneath him, Qui-Gon lifted his hands and pushed her breasts between them. He then took both of her nipples into his mouth, circling his tongue slowly and leisurely over them.

Cian cried out and her body was seized in a vise of pleasure as Qui-Gon’s mouth roamed wetly over the sensitive peaks. She ran her hands over his lightly sweating shoulders.

“Oh, Qui,” she sighed.

Qui-Gon’s heart beat hard in his chest as he thickly rasped his tongue over Cian’s rigid nipples and his lips over the supple skin of her warm breasts. _Gods, she was so sweet!_

He then released both her breasts and focused all his attention on one. He slowly swirled the flat of his tongue not just around the nipple, but also the aureole, delighting at the feel of the tiny little bumps that goosebumped around it. He groaned and drew her breast deeper into his mouth.

Cian exhaled sharply as Qui-Gon sucked even harder at her. Then, when she felt her nipple rubbing against the roof of his mouth, she gripped the sheets on her bed with quivering fingers as the sweet ache in her pelvis gushed through her body.

Cian’s breath jammed in her throat and it felt to her as if there was a long nerve which began at her breast, extended through her torso and tunneled down deep into her womb which was now a cauldron of heat and desire. She had never imagined anything could feel so good.

“Oh, my darling, don’t stop, don’t ever stop,” Cian softly begged.

At her words Qui-Con sucked at her breast even harder. He took the nipple gently between his teeth and nibbled at it. Cian arched like a cat beneath him, her breath rushing in and out of her lungs.

Qui-Gon then reached over and grabbed her other breast. As his hand closed over its supple roundness, he held its taut nipple between his thumb and index finger and rubbed it quickly with a brisk scissor-like motion.

Cian’s breath came hard and fast as Qui-Gon suckled and fondled her. Exquisite tremors shimmered at the base of her spine and it felt to her as if the center of the universe, from whatever unimaginable point it had previously occupied in space and time, had moved to her breasts and the touch of Qui-Gon’s hands and mouth on them.

His long hair trailing over her skin, Qui-Gon moved his mouth slowly away from Cian’s breast. He then inched further down her body, his hand still stroking and pulling at her other breast, his lips sliding down her belly. When he reached her navel, he slipped the tip of his tongue inside it, gently swirling and darting. Cian drew in a quick strangled breath as a sharp ache flooded through her pelvis.

When Qui-Gon reached her hips, he moved his hand from her breast and gently parted her legs. He then dipped his head just to where Cian could feel his warm breath against the inner skin of her thighs, his hair flowing across her legs.

“Do you want it?” he whispered, his voice a soft rumble as it vibrated against her thighs. “Tell me, my sweet Cian, and I will give you all I have to give.”

“Oh, yes, my love. I want it! I want it all.”

Qui-Gon slid his head between Cian’s legs. As he did, his hair tickled the insides of her thighs. He then pressed his mouth against her and kissed her lower lips.

Cian sharply took in, then released a deep shuddering breath as Qui-Gon continued to gently kiss her mound. At first his lips lightly pressed against her, then he deepened the kisses, his touch almost reverent as he moved his mouth slowly over her vulva. Cian’s blood surged through her veins.

Qui-Gon could feel her hips trembling under his hands as he continued to kiss her mound. He knew this was the place of her violation by Rukal and he wanted to heal it; therefore, even as he kissed her, he reached out with the Force and surrounded that part of her with light and warmth.

When Cian’s pants of pleasure had increased in tempo and he knew she was ready, Qui-Gon began to slowly lick the curly mound of dark red hair between her legs; long, sweet licks that flowed over her quivering flesh. Cian’s breath hitched in her throat and she squirmed, her hips twisting beneath his hands. Qui-Gon drew his hands from her hips and moved them up and down her thighs as he continued to lick at her soft, moist cleft.

Cian’s throat tightened and little sharp moans escaped from her as Qui-Gon slowly moved his tongue up and down her. She felt herself spiraling down into a vortex of unimaginable pleasure when, every now and then, Qui-Gon’s tongue would lightly touch her clitoris. Each time he did so, Cian’s hips would buck sharply against the bed.

Qui-Gon pulled Cian’s mound tighter against his face. He put his lips right on top of her slit and kissed her gently. Then, as he felt Cian pushing against his face, he kissed her harder, his lips pressing firmly against her lower lips.

Cian’s hips rose, shuddered, then fell again. Qui-Gon then used the tip of his tongue to slowly separate the inner folds of her mound. Cian’s thighs trembled. Then, Qui-Gon sharply pointed his tongue and burrowed it deep into her moist dark core.

Cian arched her back and cried out as the fire in her spine shot up through her stomach and surged into her brain. As Qui-Gon’s tongue slowly snaked in and out of her, she lashed her head back on the bed, her body arching as she lifted her hips.

“By the Lady,” she whispered, her breath harsh in her throat. “Oh, I didn’t know...I didn’t know it could be like this.”

As Cian’s hips pumped against him, Qui-Gon reached up, grabbed them and held them down firmly. He wasn’t ready for her to come. Not yet. They had both waited so long for this moment, he didn’t want to rush anything.

He slipped his tongue deeper and faster inside her and, as he did, he felt her throbbing against his mouth. Her moans came in a kind of primordial rhythm and he knew from the convulsive movements of her pelvis that she was close, very close.

Cian tried to thrust her hips against him, for she wanted that sweet fire she was just on the edge of falling into, but Qui-Gon held her down firmly with his large strong hands and there was nothing Cian could do but let him guide her to that glory moment.

And, as Cian gasped and squirmed on the bed as Qui-Gon slowly, but firmly, mouthed her, she also felt the Force surrounding her like a radiant cloud, a shining aura, a halo of joy and harmony, sheltering her, protecting her, healing her. And at its center was Qui-Gon, the beloved wellspring. The Force became an ocean inside her and he was its wave.

Finally, after licking and tonguing her for long, sweet moments, Qui-Gon slowly slipped his hands under her trembling buttocks and pulled her hard against him. He then slid his mouth up and enfolded his lips around that sweet inflamed knob of flesh he knew was the key to her pleasure.

He lightly jabbed at her clitoris with the tip of his tongue and was rewarded when Cian body’s surged against him. He then quickly swirled his tongue around it, faster and faster.

Cian’s hands tangled through his hair and she pulled his face tight against her. As her hips pulsed around his head, she felt Qui-Gon slowly slip two of his fingers inside her, while his tongue continued to circle round her clitoris.

“Oh, Qui! Qui! Don’t stop....don’t stop....oh gods!” Cian gasped. A icy hotness flooded her limbs.

As Qui-Gon’s fingers stroked and massaged Cian’s inner walls and his tongue licked and whipped about her clitoris, he sensed her climax was cresting for her hips were trembling wildly now.

He moved his fingers deeper and faster into her, his tongue still clutched about her throbbing clit. Cian’s breath came faster and faster. Qui-Gon lashed his tongue quickly over her and darted his fingers deeper inside her.

“Qui, Qui, I...I....don’t. Oh, gods. Oh, gods! Qui-Gon!” she screamed, her body bucking wildly on the bed.

Qui-Gon moved his mouth away from Cian. He rose and gazed down at her as she quivered in the throes of her orgasm. Cian’s eyes were closed and her hair whipped about her taut neck. She was completely oblivious to him, to everything, as she came, again and again and again. Qui-Gon thought he had never seen anything so beautiful in all his life.

As for Cian, sensations which were completely out of the realm of her experience, swept over. Her ears rang with a silent bliss, a soundless symphony of ecstasy. She was tossed higher and higher into her rapture, beyond her body, beyond the universe itself.

She cried out her joy into the darkness which lay between the stars and between her thighs, the blood roaring through her veins, her heart pounding in rhythm to the convulsive movements of her body. And then she cried out his name again, the name of the one who had given her this gift, this glory, this transcendent blazing oblivion.

“Oh, Qui-Gon!”

Qui-Gon smiled as she called out to him. And, as he watched her twist and moan on the damp tangled sheets, her breasts quivering, her pelvis squirming wildly against the bed, Qui-Gon felt himself hardening.

He grabbed Cian’s rolling hips, held them still, then, slowly and tenderly, he entered her. Cian moaned as he did so and he felt her come again.

Excited by this, Qui-Gon moved himself deeper inside her. He then slid his hands under Cian’s firm smooth bottom and lifted them against him as he plunged into her. Deep cries of pleasure erupted from Qui-Gon’s mouth when Cian suddenly thrust back at him, her hips pushing against him as she gave as fiercely as she was receiving.

“Oh, gods, Cian” he cried. “Yes, my love! Meet me, meet me!”

He moved deeper inside her now and his breath caught in his throat as Cian pushed herself even harder against him.

“Cian!” he groaned. He gripped her hips and thrust faster into her.

Cian gasped. _By the Lady, he was so thick and long and hard!_ Cian felt as if her entire body were full of nothing but him. She tilted her hips so that he could go even deeper. Qui-Gon lowered his body onto hers and moved his mouth against her ear, his warm breath soughing into it.

“You feel so good, so good, my lovely Cian,” he whispered hoarsely, the soft burr of his voice like honey in her ear. “So warm, so soft, so sweet.”

He slowly licked his tongue over her ear as he continued to move inside her. Cian hissed and ran her hands over his muscular buttocks, squeezing them as he pumped furiously into her.

“Yes, yes, my love, oh yes, don‘t stop,” she cried. “Don’t stop!”

Qui-Gon’s breath came in deep gasping heaves as the heat built up inside him with each thrust. But he wasn’t ready to come yet. He wanted Cian to experience as much pleasure as possible. He drew his mouth from her ear and quickly flipped her over so that she was straddling him. Breathing heavily as she gazed down at him, Cian asked him why he had done that.

“It will be better for you this way, my love,” he said huskily

He adjusted her against him. He then raised his thighs so that her bottom rested snugly against them, her knees bent on either side of his torso. Then, to show her what he meant, he lifted his hips under her with a strong thrust.

Cian gasped and arched her back, her hair whipping across her shoulders, her full firm breasts high in the air, as the tip of Qui-Gon’s long thick shaft bumped against the entrance to her womb.

Groaning, Qui-Gon reached up and grabbed her breasts, his large, powerful hands squeezing their firm roundness, his fingers pulling and rubbing at the hard inflamed tips.

“Oh, gods, gods,” Cian wailed. “Qui, oh gods, don‘t stop. Don’t stop.”

Qui-Gon slowly kneaded her already terribly swollen nipples with his palms. Then, with a deep sigh he sat up and, keeping her firmly inside him, covered one of her breasts with his mouth. His tongue whipped quickly across the hard nipple, while his fingers firmly massaged the other. Using his hips he also continued to thrust inside her as he sucked and rubbed her breasts.

Cian moaned deep and low in her throat. She was certain she was going to die now. Between the swelling in her womb and the explosions within her breasts, the pleasure was so intense it was almost painful.

Qui-Gon slowly removed his hand and mouth from her breasts. They glistened from the lights outside her bedroom window, He laid back, his eyes like molten pools of blue lava as he gazed up at her. He put his hands on her bottom where it sat snugly on his thighs.

“Move, Cian,” he said thickly. “As fast or as slow as you desire. Find your pleasure, my love.”

Cian’s breath shuddered. “I don’t know...”

“I’ll show you,” he said softly.

Qui-Gon moved his hands to her hips and, holding them, thrust up into her body; then he forced her hips down on him at the same time. Cian moaned.

He continued to do this, his hands guiding her, until Cian began to move on her own. He then stopped moving and let her control the depth and the speed of her movements. He watched, his heart pounding, as Cian’s face blossomed. Her eyes were closed, her mouth open and her head thrown back as she lost herself within the maze of her own passion.

She moved up and down along his throbbing shaft, her breasts quivering above him. Qui-Gon wanted so much to fondle them, but he didn’t want to distract her. Instead he placed his hands on the smooth cheeks of her bottom and caressed them as she rode him.

“That’s it, my love,” he urged her as she rose and fell onto his thighs. “Find it, find your pleasure.”

At his words, Cian moved faster and deeper along his shaft, her head thrown back, her neck taut, her breath pulsing out in heaving pants and groans.

“Qui, oh, Qui! Yes, yes, yes!”

With a soft deep cry, Cian collapsed onto Qui-Gon, her arms clinging, trembling, about his neck. He held her tight as she climaxed around him, the pulses of her orgasm massaging his shaft. He moaned and forced himself not to come. When her body finally quieted, she moved her mouth against his ear.

“Wonderful, wonderful,” she whispered as she leaned on his heaving chest. “I want more.”

“More?” he asked, a soft chuckle in his voice. “You are a greedy woman.”

He felt her smile against his neck.

“Yes I am, but I also want you to feel what I just felt.”

“How do you know I didn’t?” he asked, his voice teasing.

Cian lifted her head and looked into his eyes, her dark gray ones almost black from her passion.

She scoffed. “Come now, Qui-Gon, I’m not that naive.”

He laughed. Then, as he was still inside her, he quickly turned her over so that he was once again on top. He kissed her softly and gently, his lips resting on hers for a moment, then he slipped his hand beneath her hair and pulled her face to his. He slid his tongue inside her mouth and they kissed; a long, soul hungry kiss.

As Qui-Gon continued to move his tongue inside Cian’s warm wet mouth, he slipped his hands under her hips and pulled her tight against him. Then he began thrusting inside her. Cian moaned and pulled his tongue further into her mouth as if she wanted it to go as deep as his shaft was plunging.

As Qui-Gon’s hips pumped against hers, Cian lifted her legs and gripped them around his back. He thrust again, then slowly pulled out until only the tip of his shaft lay against her mound. He rubbed it slowly over her, across her moist trembling lower lips.

“Do you want this, my love?” he whispered in her ear.

“Yes, oh, yes, I do” she cried.

“Then say it, sweet Cian.”

“I want it, Qui-Gon. Oh, I want it so much.”

However, when Qui-Gon entered her this time, instead of thrusting in and out, he slowly rotated his shaft inside her, deeply caressing her from within.

Cian’s breath came in long sobbing sighs as he did so. Kissing her neck, Qui-Gon then moved his shaft into her again, much deeper this time and, as he pushed, he felt the tip of his shaft bumping once again against the entrance to her womb.

“Qui! Yes, oh, yes, my darling! There! There! Don‘t stop! Don‘t stop!”

Excited and encouraged by her words, Qui-Gon let himself go. His body was a piston as he thrust into her. Cian’s hands grabbed his hair, then his neck, then she tore at his shoulders as she felt her orgasm mounting inside her.

“Qui-Gon,” he cried. “Oh, Oui-Gon! Oh, how I love you!”

Their hot slick bodies were soldered together and, as Qui-Gon moved deeper and faster into her, Cian lifted her hips to meet him, her throaty, guttural moans blending with his.

“Now, my love,” she urged him. “Oh, gods! Please! Now! Now!”

Groaning, Qui-Gon gave one last powerful push; then he collapsed upon her as his orgasm exploded within him, It pulsed out to his toes, his fingers, his heart, then out his lungs as he cried out Cian’s name.

And, as Cian came as well, her body thrashed wildly against his as she gave in to her passion. She clung tightly to Qui-Gon, tears in her eyes, as his shaft pulsed and pulsed inside her, his hot seed filling her up and together they both rode the waves of their ecstasy until, finally, they washed upon the shore of each other’s bodies; exhausted, satiated, satisfied.

Cian slowly slipped her arms about Qui-Gon’s muscular shoulders and cuddled against him. He nestled his head deep into her hot damp neck and clung to her, shuddering, as his body gently quieted. He inhaled the sweet scent of her skin, the Attar of Love weaving through his senses.

Cian sighed deeply as she felt herself dissipating, misting away into the air about them, until nothing remained but her sighs of absolution and Qui-Gon’s shuddering gasps of release. His heart beat in time with hers and the aftermath of their passion spread from them like waves from a gently quieting pool, thrumming the air about them like the plucked strings of a Denebian lyre.

--------------

Part Thirty

Later, once their breaths had slowed and their bodies had calmed, Qui-Gon turned and cupped Cian’s face in his hands. He kissed her deeply, then pulled away and looked at her.

“How do you feel, love?”

She smiled, her dark gray eyes glowing. “Like heaven.”

“Was I...did I...?” he quickly cleared his throat, “did you enjoy it?”

“Oh, yes, my love. I never imagined it could be...” Then realization dawned on her face.

“Qui-Gon,” she said, her voice astonished. “Surely you weren’t worried about such a thing?”

Qui-Gon smiled sheepishly down at her. “I’m no longer a young man, Cian. And it has been awhile.”

“Well, there is a lot of gray here,” she said as she tugged at his beard, her eyes dancing.

“That hurts,” he said laughing.

“But, as my old nursemaid used to say, there may be snow on the roof, but there’s still fire in the oven.”

Qui-Gon shook his head, his eyes baffled, but smiling.

“I’m not sure whether that was a compliment or an insult.”

Cian laughed again and Qui-Gon thought he had never heard a more beautiful sound in all the universe. And she was actually glowing as she lay in his arms; her eyes, her skin, everything. He pulled her close.

“Qui?”

“Hmmmmm?” he said as he softly nuzzled her neck.

“Where did you, how did you know to...?” She quirked her mouth. “I know you didn’t learn such things as part of your Jedi training.”

He laughed softly. “No, I did not. I learned such things from the Daughters of Shakara.”

Cian’s eyes widened. The Daughters of Shakara was an all-female order who regarded the physical act of love as a means of worship of Shakara, the High-Mother goddess of love and fertility of the planet Annusa. Their temples were scattered throughout the Republic and, although they were looked upon by most as nothing more than courtesans and prostitutes, Cian knew they were actually a very serious and devoted order who were quite selective as to whom they allowed within their temple walls

“You’ve been to their temple here on Coruscant?”

Qui-Gon nodded. “Yes, when I was sixteen.” He shrugged. “I was curious. I wasn’t even sure they were going to admit me, but they did.”

“Who were you assigned to?”

“A woman named Sirijana.”

“What was she like?”

He looked down at her. “Do you really want to know?”

“Oh, yes. I may even send her a thank-you note for having been such a good teacher,” she said, her eyes sparkling.

Qui-Gon smiled, then took a deep breath. He gazed for a moment up at the ceiling as his hand slowly stroked her arm.

“She had green-gold skin. Black eyes. She was...exquisite. She instructed me in all the ways to pleasure a woman. She said I was the finest student she’d ever had.”

“Did you love her?”

“Yes, I suppose I did. But remember, I was only sixteen. I really didn’t know what love was. When Yoda found out I’d been going to their temple, he gave me a proper scolding.”

“But why?”

Qui-Gon shrugged. “I was a bit rebellious in my youth and Yoda was afraid I would be distracted from my path.”

Cian shook her head. “Amazing. And here I thought I knew you so well.”

He smiled down at her.

“What happens now, Qui-Gon?” Cian asked as she stroked his chest.

“What do you want to happen?”

“You answer a question with a question. Always the diplomat, aren‘t you? Not all questions have to be answered, you know?’

“True, but in this case, indulge me.”

Cian nestled her head deeper into his neck.

“All right. I want to spend the rest of my life here with you, like this, forever.”

“We’d starve to death,” he said.

“We could live on love.”

“We’d get bored.”

“Speak for yourself,” she said as she ran her hand slowly over his cock.

Qui-Gon laughed softly. “Fair enough. Hear me then, O Universe,” he called out, “my Lady Cian has requested that time cease its flow and she and I be allowed to remain here, in her warm sweet bed, together, for all eternity.”

“Shhhh,” Cian said as she hit him playfully on the chest, laughing all the while. “You sound like one of those simpering courtiers from those awful Old Republic holovids Obi-Wan loves so much.”

“Speaking of, I think he’s watched that holovid of “The Scarlet Baron of Corellia” you gave him for his birthday at least a dozen times already.”

Cian shook her head in amazement. Then she lifted her face and looked up at him.

“Qui-Gon?”

“Yes.”

“There’s something I’ve always wanted to ask you. About Aalea.”

Qui-Gon’s brow lifted. “What about her?”

“Why does she mean so much to you?”

Qui-Gon didn’t answer right away. He turned his head and looked up at the ceiling. Cian waited.

He took a deep breath, released it, turned back to her.

“I knew her mother,” he said.

“Her mother? Is Aalea your---?”

“No, she’s not my daughter.” He sighed. “What happened, how Aalea came to be born...” He shook his head.

“You don’t want to talk about it,” Cian said.

“Not now. Maybe someday I’ll tell you.”

Cian nodded.

“Qui-Gon,” she said after a moment, as she ran her fingers through the hair on his chest, “do you remember when we first met, back on Dyran, when I snuck up on you as were going through the things in my tent?”

“I was not going through your things,” Qui-Gon said, a trace of laughter in his voice, “I was performing a standard Jedi reconnoiter of the premises.”

“Is that what you call it?” Cian said, her eyes teasing as she tugged at his hair. “I call it being nosy. Anyway, there you were, this great big Jedi sneaking around...ow,” she cried as Qui-Gon dug his elbow gently in her side.

“All right, performing your ‘reconnoiter’ and I remember thinking, by the Lady, he’s huge! I mean, yes, I did have my blaster pointed at you, but I was pretty sure if you’d wanted to, you could have easily taken it from me.”

Qui-Gon shrugged, his eyes dancing as he looked over at her. “As I recall you threatened to---now, what was it? Oh, yes, ‘blow my brains out of my skull?’”

Cian laughed. “And all the time I was _so_ afraid. Then when I told you to stand up and you did and you kept going up and up, I could hardly keep my blaster on your neck.”

Qui-Gon smiled at the memory. “I remember.”

Cian’s eyes softened.

“Well, would you believe me if I told you I fell in love with you the moment you turned and faced me?”

Qui-Gon cocked his head, his brows raised.

“Hmmmm, considering the fact that at the time you were holding a blaster at my head and threatening to blow me into a million pieces if I made any sudden moves, please forgive me if I find that a little hard to believe,” he said, chuckling.

Cian snuggled closer to him. “All right. So maybe it wasn’t then.”

“When then?”

Cian looked up at him. “When what?”

“When did you first know you loved me?”

“Well, when I healed you of the poison from the Sith blade, you were unconscious and I wanted you to wake up because I was so afraid. Then I thought of a story my nursemaid used to tell me, about the magical kiss which would awaken the sleeping prince. So I kissed you.”

Qui-Gon looked down at her, surprise in his eyes. “You kissed me?”

Cian nodded. “Just a little kiss. Afterwards I felt so silly for having done so. But, you were so big and strong and yet, at that moment, as you lay in my arms, you were so helpless. All I wanted to do was protect you. Looking back, I know that’s when I fell in love with you.”

“That was ten years ago, Cian.”

“Yes, I know. A lifetime ago.” She looked up at him. “What will happen now, Qui-Gon? With us, I mean?”

Qui-Gon sighed and slowly moved his hand through the richness of her hair.

“I can‘t honestly say. I care for you, very much, more than I thought I ever could, but...”

“But you’re not willing to give up your life in the Order.”

“No, not yet. However, I have been thinking lately about a new direction for my life. Soon I am going to recommended Obi-Wan for the Trials.”

“Really? Oh, he’ll be so pleased. What made you decide to do so?”

“This bond thing with Aalea. It worried me. I wanted him to see he had made a decision ten years ago, a decision which saved Aalea’s life. It was important for him to learn one must never regret.”

“But what does Obi-Wan’s taking the Trials have to do with us?”

“Once Obi-Wan has been knighted, I’m not going to take on anymore padawans.”

“But why?”

“I’m getting old, Cian. This dashing about the galaxy, putting out political brush fires is for the young. There is much I could do at the Temple which would keep me on Coruscant.” He looked deep into her eyes. “We could spend more time together.”

“I wouldn’t want you to do it just for me,” she said quickly. “Do it only if it’s what you truly want. Personally, I think you like dashing about the galaxy.”

“Perhaps. But it is something I am considering. Among other things.”

“Other things?”

Qui-Gon drew Cian closer to him. She nestled her head in his shoulder.

“What do you think,” he began softly, “about us getting married?”

Cian’s breath caught in her throat. She lifted her head and looked up into his face. He gazed down at her, his eyes warm, a gentle smile on his lips.

“You’re joking, of course,” she said, then bit her lip.

“I would never joke about a thing like that, Cian,” Qui-Gon said as he moved his finger across her mouth.

“I don’t know what to say, Qui-Gon.”

He frowned slightly. “Is it that you have no wish to marry me?”

“No,” Cian cried. “Oh, my dear,” and she lifted her hands and clasped his face. “No, that’s not it at all. I just don’t want you to think you have to marry me. I would be honored to be your wife, of course, but only if it’s what you truly want, my love.”

He nodded, stroked her cheek with his hand.

“This is not a casual thing to me, Cian. You are and shall be my only love. Know that.”

“I do. I do know that. But, we don’t have to rush into anything. I am content.” She hugged him tightly. “To be with you like this is more than I had ever dreamed possible. I’m not in any hurry, my love. When we marry, I want you to be absolutely certain in your heart and in your mind that it’s truly what you want.”

He kissed her. “Now I know why I love you so much.”

Cian smiled. Then she looked up at Qui-Gon’s face. Reaching up she drew her finger down his crooked nose.

“I’ve always meant to ask you. How did this happen?”

Qui-Gon didn’t answer her at first, only looked over at her, his eyes sparking with laughter.

“Yoda broke it,” he said finally, a smile fluttering about his mouth.

“But, how? Why?” she asked.

“It happened, long ago, when I was his apprentice.” He chuckled softly at the memory. “Let’s just say one afternoon I wasn’t being particularly attentive during a very important lesson. But, are you sure you want to hear about that now? Or would you rather...?” and he moved his hand slowly over her breast.

Cian shivered.

“I would very much like to hear the story,” she murmured as she slipped her arms about his neck and lightly kissed the tip of his nose.

“But later. Much later.”

Qui-Gon laughed softly, then quickly lowered his mouth onto hers.

---------------------

Part Thirty-One

As Aalea looked out the cockpit window at the approaching landing field of the capital city of Sylvonna, she smiled. It had been ten months since her and Obi-Wan’s mission here and, as Nadira had predicted, she had had her babies. Twins, born a month ago. Obi-Wan and Aalea had been invited to Sylvonna for the naming ceremony. The ceremony where, they had also discovered, they were to be designated the twins’ goddess-parents.

As Obi-Wan guided the skipship, which the Jedi Council had given them permission to use, towards the area set aside for them, Aalea looked over at him. Since they’d been invited to Sylvonna as private citizens and not as representatives of the Order or of the Republic, they were not wearing their Jedi attire.

Obi-Wan wore a dark gray belted tunic and snug-fitting pants with black knee-high boots which, Aalea noted, showed off his trim waist and broad shoulders. Aalea was wearing a gown Cian had purchased for her. They had changed into their clothes upon entering the Sylvonnan system.

Aalea sighed. During the last ten months, although she and Obi-Wan were now fully aware of how much they loved each other, they had not expressed that love physically since returning to Coruscant. They’d both made an extra effort, over the last few months, to walk the straight and narrow path as they tried to make amends to the Jedi Council for having disobeyed Yoda when they went to Jalat to aid Master Qui-Gon in his search for Cian.

And, although the two of them had avoided any serious repercussions for their actions, based in part on First Minister Shiro’s intervention, both were also uneasy about doing anything that would get them into further trouble. Therefore, they had kept their love for each other hidden, not so much from themselves, but from those around them. What had occurred here between them the night of the wedding feast now seemed like a dream to Aalea. And yet, as she continued to gaze over at Obi-Wan, she recalled how warm his skin had been under her lips and the way his arms had felt around her.

Obi-Wan looked at Aalea and smiled. He had heard her thoughts through their bond. She blushed and looked quickly away.

As Obi-Wan landed the skipship she pointed out the cockpit window.

“Deja vu, Obi-Wan,” she said as she watched Marni, King Tahal’s Chief Eunuch, running at a dead heat towards the ship.

Obi-Wan grinned as he unbuckled his seat.

“Want to bet we‘re late?”

Aalea smiled as she followed him out of the cockpit.

Obi-Wan opened the skipship’s door and lowered the ramp.

Marni stood staring up at them as they emerged. He frowned.

“Can you Jedi ever be on time for anything?”

“Sorry, Marni,” Obi-Wan began, “but we ran into a....”

Marni shook his head as he interrupted Obi-Wan‘s explanation.

“You have just enough time to take your things to your quarters. Then we must hurry to the shrine for the ceremony.”

Obi-Wan and Aalea quickly went back into the ship and retrieved their travel cases. They then followed Marni to the palace.

----------------------------

Marni took Aalea and Obi-Wan swiftly through the palace and to the uppermost floors. He then led them to an ornately decorated door which was located at the end of a long corridor. With a wide flourish, he opened it and gestured for them to enter.

They walked in and Aalea gasped. Wavering rays of late afternoon sunlight drifted dreamily through the large windows of the sitting room, gilding the smooth gloss of the varnished redwood walls and making pale gold pools on the lush moonstone carpet. On the red and green lacquered tables, tall blue vases overflowed with flowers---pink, purple, deep red, pale yellow gold---and filled the air with their heady perfume.

Aalea could also see, just beyond an arched doorway, a bedroom. Inside it was a dressing table, a large wardrobe and an incredibly huge bed, heaped up with golden pillows. All the furniture was of an exquisite blondwood with fancy gold patterns inlaid in the surface. A thick woolen carpet of gold and blue covered the floor. Diaphanous sky-blue curtains sewn with gold and silver threads billowed at the open windows.

“It’s lovely,” Aalea said to the Chief Eunuch. “Whose quarters are these?”

“They are yours.”

“Mine?”

“No, yours.”

“Mine or Obi-Wan’s?”

“Yes.”

“Yes, what?” Obi-Wan asked.

“They are yours,” Marni repeated, a note of exasperation apparent in his voice.

“You mean both of ours?” Aalea asked, her voice rising in surprise.

“Yes, yes!” Marni cried, shaking his head. “What is there that is so difficult in understanding? You are both to stay here. This suite was personally assigned to you by Princess Nadira herself.”

Obi-Wan and Aalea exchanged looks.

Obi-Wan then turned to Marni.

“I’m afraid there‘s been a mistake---”

Aalea reached over and touched Obi-Wan’s arm.

“It’s all right, Obi-Wan,” she said.

He turned to her and, when he saw the look in her eyes, his pulse beat hard in his throat.

“Are you sure?”

She nodded, then turned to Marni.

“Thank you, Marni. The quarters are more than acceptable.”

Marni glanced quickly between them, a soft crinkle of a smile on his fleshly lips. He bowed.

“I’ll shall be waiting outside for you so that I may lead you to the shrine. Do not be too long.”

He then turned to Obi-Wan and winked. With a wide sweep of his perfumed robes, he left the suite, closing the door behind him.

Obi-Wan turned to Aalea. “I’ll sleep on the couch---”

Aalea reached up and touched his mouth with her fingers.

“You will do no such thing,” she said softly. “There will be no sleeping on the couch this time, Obi-Wan Kenobi.”

Obi-Wan’s heart lurched in his chest. She gazed up at him, her violet eyes deep and warm.

He swallowed. “Then, may I ask, where will I be sleeping?”

Aalea smiled and stroked her fingers across his lips.

“Where do you think?”

Obi-Wan reached up and grabbed her hand. He softly caressed it, his thumb stroking the edges of her fingers as she continued to touch his mouth.

“Aalea...”

“Obi-Wan, we’re alone, for the first time in months. No duties, no decorum to maintain or tenets to uphold. And for once, even if it’s only for this one night, I don’t want to be a Jedi or a servant of the Republic. I just want to be a woman, in the arms of the man I love. Is that so much to ask?”

Obi-wan shook his head. “No, it’s not.”

He looked down at her and was again struck by how beautiful she looked in her gown. It was of a shimmering rose silk. Her shoulders were bare and her night-black hair flowed over them. The gown was cinched about her slender waist, then billowed out over her hips. It was also, Obi-Wan noted with a tight throat, cut low enough in the snug-fitting bodice that the full swell of her bosom was visible.

His eyes lingered there for a moment.

Then he quickly cleared his throat. “We’d better go.”

Aalea nodded and they left the suite.

----------------------

Marni led them to the small shrine dedicated to the goddess Sera which was located on the palace grounds. Upon entering the shrine, Aalea and Obi-Wan were greeted by a squeal of delight. Nadira, who had been standing near the altar, ran towards them, her arms outspread.

She threw them tightly around Aalea.

“Jedi Aalea,“ Nadira cried. “You have come finally.”

She then pulled back and looked at the gown Aalea was wearing.

“Oh, I am so very glad you are not wearing those ugly Jedi clothes,” Nadira said. “You look so very, very beautiful.”

She then looked over at Obi-Wan and dimpled.

“Jedi Obi-Wan is also looking very nice, I am seeing.”

He smiled back at her.

She grabbed them both by the hands and pulled them towards the front of the shrine. King Tahal and Queen Samar stood at the altar, along with Ishan and his parents. Aalea and Obi-Wan bowed.

“Welcome,” King Tahal greeted them. His dark brown eyes swept appreciatively over Aalea and she colored fiercely as his gaze lingered on her bodice. Ishan then rushed over and grabbed Obi-Wan’s arms and clasped them warmly.

“I’m so very glad you were able to come, Master Kenobi,” he said.

“Thank you for inviting us, your highness.”

After everyone had exchanged greetings, the naming ceremony began. Aalea turned as Badalah and one of Nadira’s handmaidens entered the shrine. Each was carrying one of the twins who were wrapped in golden blankets.

“Bring them over here, Badalah,” Nadira said, “so that they may meet their goddess-parents.”

When Badalah reached them, she looked over at Obi-Wan and Aalea.

“I’m so very happy to see you again, my lovely-eyed one,” she said to Aalea. She then shifted her gaze over to Obi-Wan, frowned for just a moment, then smiled widely.

“And I’m also glad to see you too, pup,” she said with a mock gruffness.

Obi-Wan smiled at her and inclined his head slightly.

Badalah then gently pulled the blanket from the face of the twin she was carrying. Aalea’s heart softened. A tiny face gazed back at her. The baby’s eyes were a light green with tiny wisps of black hair on its head.

“Oh, how beautiful he, she...?” Aalea looked over at Nadira.

“That is the girl. Her name is going to be Princess Aalea.”

Aalea looked up in surprise, but Nadira only beamed at her.

The handmaiden then moved up and showed the other baby to Aalea and Obi-Wan.

“That is the boy,” Nadira said, “and his name is Prince Obi-Wan.”

Aalea glanced over at Obi-Wan. He smiled broadly as he looked down at the dark-eyed baby. Aalea turned back to Nadira.

“Really, your highness, I’m honored that you would name your baby after me, but you shouldn’t have.”

Nadira pouted. “Why not? I am thinking it is a beautiful name for a beautiful baby.” She looked over at Obi-Wan. “Are you having trouble with the naming of my son after you, Jedi Obi-Wan?”

Obi-Wan shook his head.

“None whatsoever, your highness,” he said grinning.

Nadira turned back to Aalea. “Jedi Obi-Wan is not having a problem with it.”

Aalea was tempted to poke Obi-Wan in the ribs. He was so full of himself. He then looked over at her and winked as he heard her thoughts. She shook her head, then smiled warmly back.

The naming ceremony then proceeded and Aalea was struck by the solemnity and beauty of it. The babies were consecrated to the goddess Sera. Their names were then inscribed into the archives and Aalea and Obi-Wan were designated their goddess-parents. Afterwards, the whole company returned to the palace for the banquet.

---------------

The banquet had been going on for some time. Ishan’s brother, Prince Markus, who had been unable to make the naming ceremony, was there, along with his Sylvonnan wife, a lush-figured blonde-haired woman named Kirissa who, Aalea and Obi-Wan later learned, was the woman who had participated with Markus in the nuptial night orgy with Nadira’s parents.

Markus had greeted Obi-Wan and Aalea with his customary exuberance, proudly introducing his wife to them. He had then looked over at Aalea and complimented her effusively on her gown; so much so that his wife had finally grabbed his arm and pulled him away.

As the dinner went on Aalea, much as she tried not to, found her eyes returning to Obi-Wan, who was seated next to her. Every time she met his gaze, her heart turned over and a vaguely sensuous light passed between them. Her body ached for his touch and her heart danced with excitement for she couldn’t get the image of that huge soft bed that awaited them in their suite out of her thoughts. Then she felt Obi-Wan in her mind.

***I want you too, love***

Would the dinner ever end?

Just then Nadira, who had been covertly watching the heated glances passing between Obi-Wan and Aalea, abruptly stood.

“I am thinking it is time for us to end the banquet,” she announced in a high clear voice.

Everyone stopped. Markus’ fork was halfway to his mouth as he stared at his sister-in-law. King Tahal and Queen Samar also stared at their daughter. Then Nadira, as she looked back at them, quickly shifted her gaze between Obi-Wan and Aalea, lifted her brows, tilted her head and rolled her eyes.

Tahal grinned when he caught Nadira’s meaning and leaned over and whispered to Samar. Her blue-green eyes widened. She glanced between Obi-Wan and Aalea, then smiled. She stood gracefully up.

“Yes, my daughter is right. The dinner is now over. I would suggest that all our guests retire to their chambers for the night.”

As everyone rose from the table, Nadira walked over to Aalea. She took her hands and, reaching up, kissed her on the cheek. Then she sniffed delicately at Aalea‘s neck.

“You are wearing the Attar of Love, are you not?”

Aalea nodded. Nadira’s green eyes sparkled.

“Then I am thinking it will be a very magical night for you, Jedi Aalea,” she whispered. “See the look in Jedi Obi-Wan’s eyes.”

Aalea looked over and was struck by the tenderness of his gaze. Her heart raced.

Nadira squeezed her hands. “Do not be afraid, Jedi Aalea. He loves you very much. I can see it.”

She then walked over to Ishan, took his arm and left the dining hall.

Aalea walked slowly over to Obi-Wan. Most of the guests had gone and only a few servants remained who began clearing away the dishes. Without a word, Obi-Wan took her hand and they left the banquet hall.

----------------------------------

Obi-Wan and Aalea entered their suite and walked into the bedroom. The room was awash with silver moonlight and full of velvety shadows. Candles burned in the sconces set about the wall and cast flickering gold patterns which deepened the shadows in the room. The windows were open and the curtains made a silken music as a gentle breeze stirred them. The air was so heavy scented from the flowers that filled the room, it was almost dizzying and a heat seemed to shiver in the violet-gray darkness about them.

Aalea walked over, Obi-Wan behind her, to the windows. She looked out. The sky was a deep opal, gradually darkening to black, the full moon a silver coin. She felt Obi-Wan move behind her, then he slipped his arms about her and touched her hair with his lips.

“This reminds me of the night of the wedding feast,” he murmured.

“Yes, except there’s no aphrodisiac in the air,” Aalea said. Then she stiffened and looked quickly about her as she searched for the large red candles that had been the source of the aphrodisiac at the wedding feast.

Obi-Wan laughed softly. “You are so suspicious.”

Aalea shrugged. “I wouldn’t put anything past the Sylvonnans.”

Obi-Wan took her by the shoulders and turned her around.

“I’m sure they know by now that we don’t need an aphrodisiac.”

Aalea smiled. She then reached up and touched his face. He gazed down at her for a long moment, then kissed her hand as it moved across his mouth. She took her hand away and lifted her face to his.

When their lips touched, Obi-Wan covered her mouth hungrily with his. Aalea’s heart skipped and she slipped her arms about his neck. And as his kiss deepened there was nothing in the universe but the touch of his lips on hers.

Obi-Wan slowly broke the kiss and moved his mouth against Aalea’s hair, his breath warm in her ear.

“I want you so much,” he whispered.

“And I you.”

“What should we do?” he asked as his hands roved over her back.

Aalea shook her head. “I don’t know. I’m so afraid.”

Obi-Wan pulled back and looked down into her face, his eyes wide.

“Afraid? Of me?”

“No, no,” she said quickly. “Not of you. Of the future. I fear...” She bit her lip. “I fear that if we don’t love each other now, here, at this moment, we may never get another chance.”

Obi-Wan gazed down into her eyes. “Do you truly love me, Aalea?”

“I’ve always loved you, Obi-Wan,” she said softly. She smiled slightly. “Do you remember my padawan acceptance ceremony?”

He nodded.

“When I saw you at the ceremony, standing with Master Qui-Gon, for a moment I was so angry. I was thinking it should have been me standing next to him, not you.”

“I remember that.” Obi-Wan said. “I never knew why you were so mad at me.”

“But, I was also thinking how handsome you looked,” Aalea said. “I just didn’t want to admit it. Not even to myself.”

Aalea took a short, shuddering breath, then looked deep into Obi-Wan’s eyes

“Do you love me, Obi-Wan” she asked in a small voice.

Obi-Wan smiled. “Oh, yes, Aalea. Very much so. I think I’ve always loved you, too.”

He took her hand and led her to the bed. Aalea then turned and moved into the circle of his arms. He reached up and slowly drew his hand over her shoulder.

“Do you know,” he whispered, “there were nights when all I could think of was your bare shoulder.”

He leaned over and softly kissed it. Then he nestled his face deep into her neck.

“What is that scent you’re wearing?” he murmured. “I’ve been wanting to ask you about it all evening.”

“Why? Are you going to lecture me about Jedi decorum?”

Obi-Wan laughed softly as he moved his lips along the line of her neck.

“I’m tempted, but I don’t think I will.”

He inhaled deeply, then exhaled, his breath warm on her skin. “What is it?”

“A gift from Nadira. The Attar of Love.”

“The Attar of Love?”

Aalea nodded, her breath sharp in her throat as Obi-Wan nuzzled her neck.

“Nadira said that when my heart and head were finally one, she would give it to me. For the longest I no idea what she was talking about. Now I do.”

As Obi-Can continued to breathe in the perfume, his lips grazed across her skin. Aalea’s heart hammered in her ears. She trembled as a frisson, delicious and sweet, thrummed through her. Obi-Wan drew away.

“Are you all right?” he asked.

“Obi-Wan, I’m a....I mean, I’ve never....”

“Do you trust me, Aalea?”

“Of course I do.”

“Then don’t worry. I would rather die than hurt you. But, there is something I need to know. Is this what you truly want? Because if you don’t, I’ll understand---.”

Aalea reached up and threw her arms around his neck.

“Yes, oh, yes, I do want this. I do.”

Obi-Wan cupped her face. “If I could, Aalea, I would make you my wife before we---”

Aalea stilled his mouth with her fingers.

“Shhh. That doesn’t matter to me. I love you and I shall always love you. I want this night with you. I want it.”

Obi-Wan said nothing, just nodded. They lay back on the bed, their arms around each other. Aalea’s gown made a gentle swishing sound as it flowed across them.

“You are so beautiful,” Obi-Wan said.

He then gently kissed the tip of her nose, then her eyes, and finally, her soft mouth. There was a dreamy intimacy to their kisses now.

Obi-Wan pulled away slowly. Aalea’s eyes were still closed, her lips slightly parted. Obi-Wan leaned over and kissed her again. Then he sucked gently on her lower lip. Aalea squirmed against him.

He pulled away again, his lips just barely touching hers. Her breath flowed across his mouth and he could feel her trembling. He lowered his mouth to her again as he lightly and softly kissed her and, each time he kissed her, he lingered a little longer on her lips.

Aalea’s breath came short and fast. Obi-Wan pulled away and cupped her flushed face, his thumb slowly stroking her moist soft lips.

“It will be all right, Aalea,” he whispered. “Don‘t be afraid. I know what to do.”

“I’m not afraid. Not when I’m with you.”

Obi-Wan smiled at her, his eyes like jewels in the darkness. He kissed her again, his hands roaming over her gown, his mouth warm and sweet on hers. Aalea returned his kiss, her lips lingering on his as dizzying waves of pleasure skirled down her spine.

Then, suddenly, she pushed him away.

“What’s wrong?” Obi-Wan asked.

Aalea looked past him at the ceiling.

“She did not?” she cried, her eyes widening. “Why that little red-haired...”

“What?”

Aalea gestured with her eyes and Obi-Wan turned his head to look above him. He groaned softly when he saw himself and Aalea reflected on a mirror above the bed.

“This suite was personally assigned to you by Princess Nadira herself,” Aalea said mockingly, repeating Marni’s words earlier in the day. “Yes, well now I see why. It’s bad enough that we’re basically sleeping in a seraglio, but this...” and she brusquely waved her hand at the mirror. “Just wait till I get my hands on her royal highness.”

Obi-Wan said nothing. Aalea watched as he turned on his back and gazed up at the mirror. He tilted his head as he studied their reflections, then he slowly smiled.

“You know, Aalea, it’s not that bad.”

Aalea turned to him, her eyes wide.

“What? Not that bad? What about Jedi decorum? What about dignity and---”

He reached over and touched her lips with his fingers.

“You can always close your eyes,” he said grinning.

“That’s not the point, Obi-Wan, and you know it. I mean, for all we know it could be one of those two-way mirrors and someone could be watching us.”

“Really, Aalea, in the ceiling? We’re on the top floor.”

“Well, there could be cameras or---”

He leaned over and kissed her.

“I seriously doubt that, Aalea. The Sylvonnans are decadent, but I can’t imagine they’re also voyeurs.” Then he shrugged. “However, if by some chance they are, let’s be sure to give them a good show.” He grinned at her.

Aalea stared at him. She couldn’t believed this was the same Obi-Wan she’d known most of her life. When they were out in public, he acted the way he’d always been; reserved and formal. But when they were alone, it was as if a mask came off and he become someone completely different; more at ease, relaxed, even playful.

“You’re not serious, Obi-Wan?”

He laughed. “No, I’m not serious.” He nuzzled her neck. “Don’t worry, Aalea. No one is watching us.”

She slipped her arms around him.

“All right, Obi-Wan, but I’m going to have a long talk with a certain green-eyed, red-haired princess first thing in the morning, I promise you that,” she said hotly.

Obi-Wan laughed, then he slowly and gently moved his hands over her and she clung to him as he did, her skin on fire.

Then Aalea again grabbed his arms and pushed him away.

“What’s wrong now?”

“I’m not on any kind of conception regulator, Obi-Wan.”

He smiled. “Don’t worry. I‘ve taken care of that.”

“You have? Then you had planned to...” She frowned at him, but her eyes were dancing. “Quite presumptuous on your part, don’t you think?”

“Well, I still have my prize to claim,” he said smiling. “And fairly won, need I remind you.”

Aalea laughed. She slipped her arms about his neck.

“Remember when you asked me to yield when we sparred here?”

“Yes, and as I recall you refused.”

“Ask me again.”

He tilted his head at her. “All right. Do you yield?”

“Yield? To you?” She smiled. “Always, dearheart.”

Obi-Wan smiled back at her. He kissed her and, as he did so, she drank in his sweet breath. Then Aalea felt his tongue move slowly into her mouth. She thought her heart was going to burst through her chest.

He kissed her for a long time, his tongue exploring her mouth with an unhurried, deliberate sensuousness while his hands roamed leisurely over her body. Aalea trembled in his embrace and her skin felt as if every nerve ending was firing.

Obi-Wan broke the kiss and gazed dreamily down at her. Then, his eyes twinkling, he grabbed Aalea about the waist and started to tickle her.

“Obi-Wan,” Aalea laughed. “Stop, stop that right now!”

Obi-Wan ignored her as he continued tickling her. Aalea tried to grab his arms to stop him, but he twisted away from her. Soon they were wrestling on the bed and, as they did so, Aalea noted that Obi-Wan’s hands were deftly pulling at her gown, loosening it from about her body.

Aalea grinned at him and responded in kind, her hands quickly roving over his clothes as she tugged at his tunic and pants. Obi-Wan kicked off his boots and Aalea wriggled her feet until her heeled slippers flew off and sailed across the room.

Then, their breath coming fast, they quickly tugged and pulled at each other’s clothing as they rolled about on the bed. Aalea’s gown floated in the air like a shimmering rose cloud, then drifted to the floor. Obi-Wan’s tunic and pants were tossed over the side of the bed. Undergarments flew across the room, landing on the rug, chairs and tables. Then, when they both were completely undressed, they continued to laugh and wrestle about on the bed, their naked bodies sliding smoothly and heatedly against each other.

Finally, after their laughter was spent, Obi-Wan and Aalea lay gasping in each other’s arms. Then, Obi-Wan slowly lowered his head and lightly showered kisses on Aalea’s face, over her chin and down her neck. He then stopped and gently nibbled at the curve along her shoulder. Aalea drew in a sharp breath.

***I’ve wanted so long to touch you like this, my sweet Aalea***

***And I you, dearheart***

His arms tight about her, Obi-Wan continued to kiss and gently bite at the soft flesh on her shoulder. Aalea’s pulse quickened and currents of heat raced through her. She pressed herself harder against him.

------------------

Part Thirty-Two

Obi-Wan slowly moved down Aalea’s body and, as he did so, he whispered her name over and over until he reached the soft swell at the top of her breasts. He then looked up and his eyes, which were usually somewhere between blue and gray, were now so dark they were like pools of ink.

“Are you certain, Aalea?” he whispered.

Aalea smiled. “Oh yes, Jedi Obi-Wan, I am very certain.”

Obi-wan laughed softly at her imitation of Nadira. He cupped Aalea’s breasts in his hands and gently massaged them, his fingers lightly trailing over her hardening nipples. Gods, her breasts were so beautiful, just small enough that he could wrap his entire hand around one, but so firm, and yet so soft.

***I always thought they were too small***

Obi-Wan looked up at her.

“Really?” he said out loud.

Aalea nodded. “I wish I had breasts like Cian’s. Isn’t that what men like?”

“Some men.”

“Not you?”

Obi-Wan shrugged. “Cian‘s are beautiful, but yours...” and he smiled and slowly lowered his mouth to her breast.

***Yours are perfect, love***

And as Obi-Wan flicked his tongue across her nipple, the blood pounded in Aalea‘s head. He then licked her again, more fully and slowly this time. Aalea moaned as the peak quickly firmed beneath his tongue. Then, Aalea was aware of something else. Their bond. With the shields down in their minds, she realized she was experiencing not only her pleasure, but his as he kissed and caressed her. And she wondered was it possible that he could feel what she was feeling,; the sweet, aching, bliss as he sucked softly at the swelling tip of her breast.

She felt him in her mind.

***Yes, love. I feel everything you feel. We are one.***

Aalea’s breath came hard and deep as Obi-Wan’s tongue slowly and wetly twirled over her hardening nipple, for even as she trembled from the pleasure of it, she could also feel how it felt to him; her soft warm breast in his hand, the sweet nub firming under his tongue. Aalea moaned. This couldn’t be happening, she thought; nothing this wonderful could be real.

***It is real, love***

She then felt Obi-Wan’s hand move onto her other breast. Using his thumb and finger he slowly rubbed and pulled at the swollen nipple as his mouth continued to lazily suckle her other breast. Fire surged through Aalea’s veins. She whimpered and tossed her head back and forth on the silk pillows.

***Oh, gods, that feels so good, Obi-Wan. Please, don’t stop. Don’t stop.***

After spending what seemed to Aalea hours kneading and licking and suckling both her breasts, Obi-Wan slowly moved his right hand down her stomach--stopping for a moment at her navel which he lightly rubbed--then on to her thighs which he slowly caressed. Aalea squirmed beneath him. Obi-Wan then slid his hand between her legs and ran his fingers lightly over the sensitive skin of her inner thighs. Aalea whimpered.

As he did this, he continued to suck at her breast, his arm about her shoulder, as he leisurely rubbed his hand over the slick wet heat of her. Aalea shivered as Obi-Wan’s fingers tangled through the curly hair of her mound, the pads of his fingers slowly stroking the sensitive skin.

***So sweet, so soft***

***Oh, Obi-Wan***

Obi-Wan gently parted Aalea’s thighs with his hand, then slowly slipped two fingers inside that very place which was the epicenter of all her pleasure. She gasped as his fingers moved deep and slow inside her.

***Oh, what are you doing? Oh gods, oh gods! Yes, yes***

***You like this?***

***Yes, yes, I do!***

Obi-Wan was thrilled at how quickly she softened and moistened at his touch. He moved his fingers deeper into her; first, lightly, then harder as he stroked and massaged her inner walls.

Aalea’s hips surged against his hand. Obi-Wan synchronized the suckling of her breast with the thrusting of his fingers. Soon the bucking of Aalea’s supple hips and her moans of pleasure matched the rhythm of Obi-Wan’s hand inside her and his tongue on her nipple.

Then, Aalea felt Obi-Wan’s fingers probing along her inner walls. A warm, deep, lush feeling begin to spread through her as he continued his exploration inside her. She felt him curve his fingers within her, then suddenly she felt a sharp sweet jolt. She moaned deeply.

Obi-Wan whispered in her mind.

***Hmmm, There it is, my love****

***What?***

***Your goddess spot, sweetness***

Aalea squirmed as Obi-Wan’s fingers firmly stroked the spot he had found inside her. Her heart beat fast and hard as she felt herself on the verge of something unimaginable. Nothing real could feel this good, she thought. Nothing.

***Oh, Obi-Wan. What is happening to me?***

***Ecstasy, my love***

Obi-Wan could feel through their bond that Aalea was on the verge of her climax. Her breath quivered in her chest, her skin was flushed and moist and her legs and arms were trembling.

He slowly pulled his mouth from her breast and, trailing a line of kisses down her ribcage, over her stomach and to her thighs, moved inch by inch down her lovely, slender body, his fingers still pulsing inside her, still stroking her goddess spot.

Aalea wove her hands through Obi-Wan’s hair, her fingers stroking and pulling at his padawan lock, as he slipped his mouth along her inner thighs. At the feel of his soft lips, Aalea’s hips shuddered. Obi-Wan pulled his fingers out of her, reached up and, placing his hands on her hips, held them down firmly.

***Not yet, love***

He then moved his head between her thighs and, as he did, the breath exploded out of Aalea’s lungs and her mind shuddered with shock for, unbelievably, he was kissing her down there. She felt his mouth brush against her as he kissed, than slowly licked her for long utterly mind-blowing moments, then---_gods, no, he wasn‘t doing that_!---his tongue darted inside her and burrowed deep. Aalea arched her back as a surge of heat swept through her. She wriggled with pleasure, her shoulders digging deep into the softness of the pillows, tiny whimpers escaping through her parted lips.

Obi-Wan thrust his tongue deeper inside her, twirling and twisting. Aalea’s hips leapt against his hands, but he held them firmly. And as Obi-Wan loved her with his tongue and lips, they spoke to each other silently through their bond, their thoughts like fevered arrows burning through the other’s mind

***Hmmmm. Oh, I love the way you taste, my sweet, sweet Aalea***

***Oh, gods, Obi-Wan!***

***How does it feel?***

***Oh, it feels so good! So good. Don’t stop, please, don‘t stop!***

***Do you like this, love?***

***Yes! Yes! Yes!***

Obi-Wan pushed his tongue deeper.

***Did you like that?***

***Yes!***

He rotated his tongue in slow circles.

***What about that?***

***Oh...It feels...it feels...Oh!. Please...Don‘t...Stop.***

***Do you want more, love?***

***Yes! Oh, gods, yes, Obi-Wan. More! More! Don‘t stop!***

As Obi-Wans hot moist mouth washed over her, his tongue flickering and probing inside her, Aalea’s head thrashed on the bed, her chest heaving with broken, ragged breaths. Each stroke and dart of his tongue into her was perfection. She was hot and sweating one moment, then cold and shivering the next. Her voice throbbed harshly in her throat as she surrendered to the burning sweetness that was tearing through her. She sucked air sharply through her mouth as she felt herself breaking upon Obi-Wan’s mouth like waves upon a shore, cascading and surging with each electrifying movement of his tongue. Aalea’s hands tightened and gripped the sheets as her hips arched under her, her body aching for release, but Obi-Wan held her firmly down.

_Why is he torturing me?_

Obi-Wan stopped, lifted his head and gazed up at her, his eyes dark with his passion.

Aalea looked down at him, gasping. Then she felt him in her mind.

***Remember, I can feel everything you feel, Aalea. I will know when to release you. Patience, my love.***

Aalea nodded, her throat tight. Obi-Wan lowered his head and ran his mouth in wet circles, sometimes soft, sometimes firm, against her mound. Then he parted her trembling lower lips with his tongue and moved it back inside her. Wave after wave of pleasure surged through Aalea and its source was that soft throbbing core where Obi-Wan’s tongue darted and plunged. Her legs were trembling and her stomach and neck were hot.

***Now! Oh, gods, please now, Obi-Wan***

In answer to her pleas, Obi-Wan pressed his face harder against her and thrust his tongue deeper inside her slick softness. He slipped his hands over her hot, sweating body and wrapped them around her breasts, his fingers teasing her stiff nipples. Aalea whipped her head sharply back against the pillows, her breath harsh in her throat as Obi-Wan’s tongue stroked harder and faster and his fingers pulled and rubbed at the aching peaks of her breasts.

Then, suddenly, Aalea felt Obi-Wan’s lips enclose around something that felt so wonderful, so incredible, so unbelievably amazing, it had to be a dream.

***No dream, love***

***What...what...is that?***

***The key to your rapture, sweetness.***

Obi-Wan drew his hands away from Aalea’s breasts and grabbed her thighs as he slowly licked whatever that little thing was. The key, he had called it. Aalea sucked in a startled breath. Yes, the key to her joy. Obi-Wan then seized it with his lips and swirled his tongue around it.

***Oh, Obi-Wan! I’m going to...I’m going to...***

***Yes, love. I can feel you. You‘re almost there***

Aalea trembled as she felt Obi-Wan roll his tongue around that sweet little thing. Once he had the knob of flesh firmly between his tongue, he then quickly slid his tongue up and down it. Aalea’s hips jolted against the bed and her mouth opened in a silent cry. She wanted to scream and laugh and thrash her fists all at the same time as Obi-Wan’s hot wet tongue pumped hard against that pearl of passion. Aalea arched her back, her heart pounding as she felt something indescribably delicious and sweet and fierce and hot building up inside her, something she had never even dreamed existed.

***Oh, gods!! Oh, gods!! Obi-Wan!***

***Yes, love, now***

Aalea exploded. Her blood raged like a swollen river through her veins and, as she came, she screamed Obi-Wan’s name, over and over, tears streaming from her closed eyes. Stars exploded behind her lids and she floated on oceanic waves of ecstasy which washed over her shuddering body. She threw her head back, her black hair whipping across the thick golden pillows.

And, as Aalea thrashed wildly within the throes of her orgasm, Obi-Wan continued to suckle her clitoris for he knew through their Force bond she had more to give him. Then he groaned and pulled quickly away from her. He cried out, his own body thrashing and twisting because, as a result of their bond, he was feeling every one of Aalea’s orgasms. They pulsed through him like a seastorm, wave upon wave, crest upon crest.
Then, when Aalea finally subsided beneath him, and he with her, Obi-Wan moved up her body and wrapped his arms tightly around her. She gazed up in awe at him.

“I...I...,” she gasped, her heart racing, tears glistening on her face. “I never knew...I never imagined.”

“Nor had I,” Obi-Wan said softly as he stroked her cheek. “I never knew it felt that way to a woman.”

“You felt...what I felt?”

He nodded. “Yes, through our bond.”

“I’ve never felt anything like it,” Aalea said her voice trembling, her eyes luminous with wonder.

“Nor have I,” Obi-Wan said. “I mean, not the way it feels to a woman. It was incredible. Absolutely incredible.” He laughed softy to himself. “I’m beginning to think women got the better end of the deal.”

He smiled down at Aalea and kissed her tears away. Then he grinned at her.

“I gather you are pleased,” he said, his eyes sparkling.

“Oh, yes, I am, I am,” she cried. “More then pleased, I’m....”

Then Aalea stopped when she saw the smug look of satisfaction on his face. She pushed at him.

“You are so full of yourself, Obi-Wan Kenobi.”

He laughed. Then he looked deeply into her eyes.

“And that was only the beginning, love.”

Aalea shivered. “You mean there’s more?” she whispered.

“Oh, yes, love, much more.”

He lowered his head and slowly nibbled her ear, then her shoulder. Now that Aalea was conscious of their connection through the bond she felt not only the touch of his lips on her, but the way her skin felt under his mouth. It was like a mirror reflecting into a mirror. He moved his lips back to her mouth and kissed her, his hands slowly caressing her slender hips.

***Are you ready, love?***

***Yes, dearheart, I am ready***

***Don’t be afraid***

***Never, not with you***

Obi-Wan slowly lifted Aalea’s hips; then, gently and tenderly, he entered her and, as their bodies fused, Aalea felt a brief moment of pain--***Forgive, love!***---then an exquisite agony as he moved deeper into her.

Aalea gasped as Obi-Wan began stroking in and out of her. And, with each stroke, Aalea felt Obi-Wan’s shaft growing thicker and longer inside her. She ran her hands over his back as he buried himself deeper inside her.

***Oh, Obi-Wan. You feel so good inside me.***

Obi-Wan groaned against Aalea’s ear, his breath hoarse, as he sank himself, again and again, into her sweet hot flesh. Then, as Aalea wished Obi-Wan would go even deeper inside her and she imagined how he could, she felt him in her mind.

***Yes, love, do that***

Aalea lifted her hips and thrust against him at the same time that he plunged into her. Obi-Wan cried out, his breath rough in his throat as he felt her inner muscles contracting hungrily about his shaft.

***Yes, love, that‘s it***

He reached down and cupped his hands under her round firm bottom, forcing her to rise higher as he went deeper and deeper. His pulse pounded in his head.

***Lift your legs, love***

Aalea raised her legs and clasped them around his waist. She clutched her arms tightly about his neck as Obi-Wan gripped her hips and thrust harder into her.

***Gods, you are so sweet, so sweet, my lovely Aalea!***

Aalea ground her head against the pillow as she strove to match Obi-Wan as he plunged harder and faster and deeper inside her. She lifted her hips higher against him and Obi-Wan moaned. He thrust faster into her.
Suddenly, Obi-Wan stopped moving but Aalea continued to move her hips against him. He grabbed her quickly about the waist and flipped her over. She gasped as she found sitting herself on top of him.

***Move, love, like you were doing before***

Aalea immediately began to pulse her hips against him. Obi-Wan hissed between clenched teeth.

***Yes, yes, sweetness, that’s it***

Obi-Wan kept his hips still as Aalea moved hers up and down his shaft. He gazed up at her. Her full lips were parted and little pants of pleasure puffed through them. Her night black hair flowed across her slender shoulders and over her high firm breasts. And her eyes. Her beautiful violet eyes were smoldering as she looked down at him. Obi-Wan lifted his hands and cupped her breasts. He slowly fondled them, his palms sliding across the tight nubs. Aalea flung her head back, her hair whipping across her shoulders. She sighed deeply.

***I love you so much, Obi-Wan***

***And I you, my beautiful Aalea***

Obi-Wan moved his hips up against Aalea as she thrust down on him. He groaned, the muscles in his neck taut; then he moved his hands from her breasts and grabbed her bottom, kneading and squeezing it, his hands caressing the silken cheeks as they rose and fell upon his thighs.

He closed his eyes and thought of that day in the gym after they had sparred, when she had walked away from him, the end of her braid twitching over her taut rear.

***Oh, yes, Aalea, there, love, right...Ow!***

Aalea had slapped him on the chest.

Obi-Wan’s eyes flew open. “What!”

“You were looking at my behind?” Aalea cried out in an outraged voice.

Obi-Wan looked up at Aalea, his mouth open in shock, his heart pounding.

She stared down at him, her violet eyes blazing.

“What...what are you talking about?” he asked, his breath harsh in his throat. “Why did you stop?”

“I saw it. In your mind. When we were here on Sylvonna in the gym. You were looking at my behind!”

“Yes. So?” Obi-Wan moved his hips up against her. “Go back to what you were doing,” he begged softly.

Aalea grabbed Obi-Wan’s shoulders, her dark hair sweeping across his shoulders, her breasts swaying, Obi-Wan noted with a tightening throat, most bewitchingly.

“Why, I ought to...” she cried, shaking him angrily.

Obi-Wan laughed. “Aalea, listen to yourself.”

He swept his hands from her rear, up along her hips and under her breasts.

“You’re upset about me looking at you that day and we’re doing this?”

He lifted his head and nipped softly at her breasts. Aalea shivered, then smiled.

“It is rather silly, isn’t it?

“Rather,” Obi-Wan murmured as he lowered his head. He caressed her. “Now, can we get back to business?”

Aalea answered him by slowly rolling her hips.

***Hmmmmm, much better, love***

They moved against each other for long, sweet moments. The pleasure rose furiously in Aalea like a wind before a thunderstorm. She gazed down at Obi-Wan, who was looking up at her, his eyes now so dark with his passion they were indigo.

“You are so beautiful, so lovely,” Obi-Wan whispered.

“As are you,” Aalea said softly back.

Obi-Wan reached up and ran his hands through her long black hair, across her lips. Suddenly, Aalea grabbed one of his fingers and pulled it into her mouth. She slowly rolled her tongue around it, her eyes dancing as she looked down at him. As she continued to suck at his finger, Obi-Wan’s groin tightened as he imagined what her mouth would feel like on him.

Aalea’s eyes widened when she caught the image in his mind.

***I can do that if you want, dearheart***

He smiled up at her, slowly shook his head.

***We’ll save that for another time. This night is for you, my love***

Obi-Wan pulled his hands away her face, clasped her about the waist and eased her around until he was on top of her again. Then he moved himself up along Aalea’s body, cupping his arms under her shoulders so that his body was flat against hers.

***Keep your legs straight, love***

Aalea straightened her legs so that they were pressed firmly against Obi-Wan’s.

***Now, lift yourself against me, but slowly***

Aalea did so and gasped as Obi-Wan pushed down gently to meet her. The movement their bodies now made wasn’t so much in and out as it was a gentle up-and-down rocking motion and, because they were pressed so closely together, their groins grind sweetly against each other. Aalea could feel the base of Obi-Wan’s shaft rubbing against that sweet little key that had given her such pleasure before. She sighed deeply, little cries of delight bubbling through her parted lips.

***Oh, that feels so good, Obi-Wan***

***Hmmmm. Yes, love, this way it will take longer for us to come***

***Will we feel it together?***

***If that is what you wish, sweetness***

As they continued to move slowly and deeply against each other, Obi-Wan gripped Aalea hard about the shoulders and pressed her down against the damp silk sheets. Rhythmic stabs of pleasure shot through Aalea as she and Obi-Wan continued to move slow and hard against each other. She looked up at the mirror above them and watched, her throat tight, as Obi-Wan’s well-shaped buttocks pulsed above her. The muscles of his back flexed and rippled under his sweating skin which gleamed from the soft glow of the candles. She moaned at the sight.

***Bring me in deeper, love***

Aalea spread her inner thighs wider, wrapping her ankles gently around the calves of his leg.

***Yes love. That’s it.****

Aalea rose and met him, their hips rolling against each other as
Obi-Wan kissed her, his tongue slipping between her lips. He then moved his tongue in and out of her mouth in perfect unison with his shaft as it continue to beat against that little pearl of pleasure.

***Oh gods! Yes, Obi-Wan! Oh, yes!***

***I love you, Aalea! Gods! I love you!***

***And I you! Oh! Hold me Obi-Wan! Don‘t let me go!

***Never, love. Never let you go!***

As the rhythm of their bodies moving against each other increased, Aalea’s breath caught in her throat. She could fee herself moving toward the peak of her pleasure and, through their bond, she also felt Obi-Wan rising toward his release. They moved faster against each other and soon Obi-Wan was pounding into Aalea. She cried out and lifted her hips to meet his thrusting body.

***Yes, Obi-Wan. Don’t stop. Don’t stop***

Obi-Wan gripped Aalea’s shoulders tighter. Soon, the two of them were bucking and arching and colliding together in perfect rhythm, their bodies hot and slick and hard against each other.

***Obi-Wan!***

***Aalea!***

***Oh, gods! Oh, gods! Oh, gods!***

Obi-Wan gave a great cry as he came inside Aalea. He groaned in blissful agony as he felt himself jetting hotly into her. Then he felt Aalea convulsing beneath him as she came, screaming his name against his throat. He moaned as Aalea’s body pulsed wildly under him.

Then, just as before, Obi-Wan felt himself experiencing everyone of Aalea’s orgasms, the sensual swells rippling through his body like ocean waves. The two of them trembled on the very edge of infinity as they undulated wildly against each other, their bodies and minds and souls totally and completely one. Then, as their rapture slowly and gently died within them, Aalea and Obi-Wan, their arms locked tight about the other, plummeted like falling stars into the silence and darkness of oblivion.

-----------------

“Beautiful. Simply beautiful.” Nadira said, as she sighed deeply, her green eyes creamy. She looked over at Badalah.

“I was right, Badalah. I knew Jedi Obi-Wan would make an excellent lover. The things he told Ishan to do to me,” Nadira shivered delicately, “it was most enlightening to watch him in action, did you not think?.”

“Yep, the pup didn’t do too bad.”

She and Nadira were in Nadira’s private boudoir looking at a vid screen which was transmitting images from a small camera located in the mirror in Obi-Wan and Aalea’s bedchamber.

“I am thinking, Badalah, that these Jedi are very deceptive. Walking around in those ugly clothes, acting so monkish and serious and yet,” and her eyes sparkled, “such passion!”

Nadira turned back to the vid screen.

“Now I will leave them alone so that they may have this time after such splendor to themselves.”

Nadira reached over to turn off the vid screen, but Badalah grabbed her hand before she could do so. She peered at Aalea and Obi-Wan on the screen as they lay, unconscious, in each other’s arms on the tussled sheets of the bed.

“Do you think they’re all right, poppet?”

Nadira looked closer at the screen.

“They are both breathing, Badalah. I am thinking Sera has blessed them with the moment of Transcendent Bliss. But,” and Nadira tilted her head, “I have never seen it happen in just that way before. It was almost as if they were one body, one soul when they fell into their rapture. Very interesting. I am wondering if this is a technique that can be taught.”

She continued to stare at the screen until she saw Obi-Wan move and slowly open his eyes. He then immediately leaned over Aalea. Nadira saw she was also stirring.

She switched off the screen and stood.

“I am going to bed, Badalah. I am hoping that Ishan is not sleeping.” She shrugged. “But if he is, I am thinking I will wake him. Jedi Aalea and Jedi Obi-Wan have made me very frisky.”

“Good night, poppet,” Badalah said as she kissed the princess on the forehead. “And don’t overtax Ishan.”

Nadira dimpled, her green eyes twinkling. She ran off to her bedchamber

---------------------

Aalea slowly opened her eyes and looked up. Obi-Wan gazed worriedly down at her.

“Are you all right, love?”

“What happened, Obi-Wan?”

“You fainted.”

“Fainted?”

He nodded. “So did I.” He smiled sheepishly. “It happened when I...when you...when we came together.”

“Was it because of the bond?“ she asked softly.

“I‘m pretty sure it was,” he said.

“Is that normal?”

Obi-Wan looked down at her for a moment. Then he shrugged.

“I don’t know. I’ve never done this with someone to whom I was bonded.”

“Do you think it’s dangerous?” she asked.

“I don’t think so but, perhaps we should be more careful next time.”

Obi-Wan smiled softly.

“However,” he went on as he stroked the hair from Aalea’s damp forehead, “it was well worth the risk. By the Force, I’ve never felt anything like it! I could feel everything you felt. We were one.”

He closed his eyes and sighed deeply.

“You weren’t disappointed with me, were you?” Aalea asked.

Obi-Wan’s eyes snapped open and he stared down at her.

“Disappointed? No!” He kissed her cheek. “You were incredible. Why would you even think such a thing?”

“Well, you weren’t a virgin, were you?”

He gazed back at her for a moment. “No, I wasn‘t. Are you disappointed?”

“No, no, not at all. But, if you don’t mind my asking...?”

Obi-Wan sighed. He nestled her deeper within his arms and quickly drew the coverlet over them.

“When I was about seventeen,” he began softly, “I thought for a time I was going crazy. I had these urges, these needs. I tried so hard to ignore them. I meditated, I exercised, I did everything I could think to do, but nothing worked. So, one day I mentioned it to Master Qui-Gon. My face must have been beet red. But he said nothing, just looked at me for a long moment. Then he told me he would help me with it tomorrow. The next day he took me to the temple of the Daughters of Shakara.”

“The Daughters of Shakara?” Aalea cried, her eyes wide. “Master Qui-Gon took you there?” She tugged his arm. “Oh, do tell, Obi-Wan, what was it like?”

Obi-Wan looked down at Aalea. “You’re not shocked?”

Aalea shrugged. “Why should I be?” She shook his arm again. “Now, tell.”

Obi-Wan laughed softly at her eagerness.

“Well, apparently, Qui-Gon knew the High Mother of the Temple. I learned later that when he was about my age, he went there and she was the one assigned to him.”

“No?” Aalea cried in a shocked voice. “Really? Master Qui-Gon?”

Obi-Wan nodded. “Anyway I was assigned to a woman name Deyara. She was older than I and very lovely, though nowhere near as beautiful as you.”

Aalea beamed. Obi-Wan smiled and kissed the tip of her nose.

“She was gentle, kind and very patient with me,” he went on. “Gods, I was so nervous. After it was over, I cried in her arms.”

Aalea touched his face. “Oh, Obi-Wan.”

He nodded “And the next time, she cried in mine.”

“How long did you go to her?”

“For about six months. I’d visit her whenever I could. She taught me all the different ways to please a woman. I told her it wasn’t necessary as I had no plans to marry, but she said it wouldn’t hurt to know.”

Aalea hugged him. “She was right about that.” Then she smiled. “And I’m sure Nadira is also grateful for what you learned.”

Obi-Wan smiled and kissed her forehead.

“Then one day I went to the temple and she was gone. I asked the High Mother where she was and she told me Deyara had returned to her homeworld and left the order.”

“But why?”

Obi-Wan took a deep shuddering breath. “Because she had fallen in love with me and she knew there was no hope for us.”

“Did you love her?”

Obi-Wan didn’t answer right away.

“I cared for her, very much so,” he finally said. “I wouldn’t have returned to her if I didn‘t, but, no, I can’t say I loved her. I felt very bad about what happened for a long time afterwards and, because of it, I haven’t been with anyone since.” He looked down at Aalea. “Until you, that is.”

“Did you ever try to find her?”

“Yes, I did. But I never saw her again.”

Aalea hugged Obi-Wan and kissed his neck.

“Poor dearheart.”

He shrugged and sighed. “Such is life, Aalea.”

She nodded. “We should probably get some sleep. We have to leave early tomorrow.”

Obi-Wan rubbed Aalea’s arm, but she could sense through their bond he was troubled.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“You’re aware of what’s happening in the Senate?”

“I know new accusations of corruption in Chancellor Valorum’s cabinet have surfaced.”

“Yes, and along with that the Trade Federation has been rattling its sabers. They’re now threatening blockades of planetary systems to protest the taxation of their trade routes to outlying systems. Master Qui-Gon believes the Jedi may be called in to intervene.”

Aalea nodded. “Yes, there’s been much talk about it at the Temple.”

“The political situation is becoming dangerously unstable in the Republic.” He sighed. “I fear that things are going to change relatively soon, Aalea. And not for the better.”

Aalea pulled herself closer to him. “Don’t worry about that now, dearheart. Tomorrow will be here soon enough. Let us enjoy this night while we have it.”

Obi-Wan smiled and kissed her forehead. “You’re right.”

They lay quietly in each other’s arms for a bit, then Aalea stirred.

“Obi-Wan, can I ask you a question?”

“Of course, love.”

“Why did you save me?”

His brows rose. “What do you mean?”

“When you bonded with me when I was dying in the Force matrix. Why did you save me?”

“I couldn’t just let you die,” he said softly.

“I had always thought you didn’t like me.”

“Now you know better.” He squeezed her. “When you were in the coma, Master Yoda said that someday you would be important to me.”

“He said that?”

Obi-Wan nodded. “I didn’t know what he meant at the time. All I knew was that I couldn’t let you die.”

“Do you think he foresaw this? The two of us together?”

“I don’t know, Aalea. He’s always told me I should be mindful of the future, that it’s always in motion. But, who can say what Master Yoda did or did not see.” He looked down at her. “I am here. And I don’t want to leave. I want to stay with you. Forever.”

“And I you.”

He leaned over and kissed her softly.

“I love you my sweet, beautiful Aalea.”

“And I love you, my handsome, pompous, bossy---”

Obi-Wan laughed and stilled her mouth with his hand.

“All right, Aalea. I get the picture. Now kiss me.”

Aalea tilted her head as she regarded him.

“See, just as I said, bossy.”

Then she smiled. She slipped her arms about his neck and lifted her face to his and, for the rest of the night, neither of them got much sleep.

-----------------------

Part Thirty-Three

Aalea sat outside Healer Sklar’s office. She’d heard Cian had been seen in the Temple and, after asking around, discovered she was meeting with the healer. Aalea was waiting to see if she wanted to have dinner with her and, as she waited, Aalea’s thoughts whirled. It had been two weeks since she and Obi-Wan had returned from Sylvonna. However, they hadn’t had much opportunity to spend any time together, except for the picnic they’d gone on the other day.

As Aalea thought about the picnic she smiled. When she had casually mentioned to Cian that she’d never been on one, Cian had quickly planned one. She had then invited Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon and, when the two finally found some free time, the four of them took a speederbus over to one of the hundreds of large parks which dotted the surface of Coruscant. While in the park, a holophoto-droid had floated by and taken a picture of the four of them just as Aalea was pretending she was an empty-headed baronesses from one of the Old Republic holovids Obi-Wan loved so much.

Aalea had started out by teasing Obi-Wan about his taste in holovids. She had then playfully grabbed him and pretended, like the actors in the vids, that she was making passionate love to him, her arms about his neck, her head thrown back in wild abandon. Obi-Wan got into the spirit of it and pretended to kiss her wildly, all the while proclaiming his undying affections for his lady love. Cian clapped at their pantomime, Qui-Gon laughing beside her.

When the droid displayed the picture of their antics, Aalea hadn’t thought it worth purchasing, but Obi-Wan had quietly handed over his credit-chit and slipped the holophoto disk into a pouch on his belt.

Aalea then frowned, for she also found herself thinking about the recent news from the Senate. Tension was heating up throughout the Republic as the Trade Federation continued their blockades of planetary systems. The latest to be blockaded was Naboo. Aaela had never heard of Naboo, but its representative in the Senate, a Senator Palpatine, had called for immediate action from the Chancellor.

Aalea sighed. And then there was the mysterious disappearances of Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan. Neither had been seen in the Temple since early yesterday. She had even tried reaching out to Obi-Wan through their bond, but either he was shielding against her or he was very far away.

Aalea had finally gotten the courage to ask Master Windu about their absence when she had seen him striding through a corridor, just before she had come to the Healer‘s Wing. He had looked down at her for a moment, his dark eyes unreadable. Then he told her Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan were away on a mission, something for the Chancellor, and would be back in a few days. She had wanted to ask him more, but he had quickly excused himself and walked away.

Aalea reached up and tugged on her padawan braid. She had taken the ribbon Obi-Wan had given her out of her hair months ago. It was now in a small black lacquered box on her nightstand. Of late, before she went to bed, Aalea would take the ribbon out of the box and run it through her fingers and, as she did, she would think about that, as Nadira had so accurately predicted, magical night on Sylvonna two weeks ago when she and Obi-Wan had made love. Since their return to the Temple, they had refrained from expressing their love physically, but they often sent fervent messages of passion to each other through their bond.

Suddenly, Aalea realized she missed him terribly.

--------------

“And you’re certain, Healer Sklar?” Cian asked again.

The woman nodded, her almond-shaped eyes regarding Cian with empathy.

“Yes, Cian, you are pregnant.”

Cian shook her head. She had stopped in to see Sklar for her final counseling session. The Jedi healer had been helping her deal with the Force-related traumas of her ordeal on Jalat. The physical that Sklar had given her had merely been routine. Cian had had no idea she was pregnant.

“But that’s not possible,” she said. “I can’t be. I know for a fact that Qu--, that we took precautions.”

Sklar shrugged. “No contraceptive is a hundred percent reliable, Cian. May I ask you a personal question?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Your lover? He is Force sensitive?”

Cian swallowed. She didn’t think Sklar knew it was Qui-Gon, but Cian wasn‘t ready to voluntarily reveal to anyone, especially not to a member of the Order, that she and Qui-Gon were lovers.

“Yes, he is.”

“Very strong with the Force?”

Cian nodded.

“And so are you, correct?”

“So I’ve been told.”

Sklar looked down and punched the keys on the datapad in her desk.

“According to your records you have a very high midichlorian count.”

“I don’t understand,” Cian said. “What does that have to do with anything?”

“Before I answer that, how long have you and your lover been intimate?”

Cian cleared her throat. “Well, uh, these past six months.”

“And how many times have you been intimate?”

“Healer Sklar, I don’t see---”

“Please, Cian. If you want me to help you understand what’s happened, I will need such information.”

“Of course, I’m sorry. Um, well, we’ve been intimate,” Cian colored fiercely, “just about every night when he‘s not on a...when‘s he‘s around,” she finished softly.

Sklar’s brows raised. “And more than once a night, yes?”

Cian fidgeted in her chair and blushed even harder.

“Yes. More than once a night.” She laughed self-consciously. “I guess you could say we’ve been making up for lost time, but I can assure you,” she said quickly, “we’ve been careful. Every time.”

Sklar folded her hands on the desk. “I’m not questioning that Cian; however, I have seen this happen before, although it is rare. Sometimes, when two people who are very strong with the Force become intimate, that joining of body and spirit can, in effect, neutralize any type of conception regulator.” Sklar shrugged. “It’s almost as if the Force intervenes and brings about the conception. And, based on what you told me regarding,” and she delicately cleared her throat, “the frequency of your lovemaking...” Sklar shrugged again. “It was probably inevitable.”

“Are you saying the Force wants me pregnant?”

“What I’m saying, Cian, is that the Force embodies life and life finds a way. I’m not as spiritual as most of my brothers and sisters in the Order, therefore I can’t fully explain the metaphysical aspects of it. But, I can tell you this for certain. You are with child.”

Cian took a deep breath and lifted her fingers to her mouth. This couldn’t be happening. What was she going to do? She had always wanted a child, had always longed that it would be Qui-Gon’s, but she had hoped to discuss it with him first.

Sklar gazed over at Cian. She then leaned forward.

“Cian,” she said in a gentle voice, “if you would like to terminate...”

Cian’s eyes widened and her hands flew instinctively to her stomach.

“No! No, I don’t want to do that.”

“I understand.” Sklar quickly punched the keypads on her desk. A sheet of flexpaper slid out from the side. She tore if off and handed it over to Cian.

“Here’s some advice on prenatal care. You have a regular physician?”

Cian slowly nodded. “How far along am I?”

“Only a few days. But you should start taking care of yourself right away.”

Cian stood. “Yes, of course.” She reached out her hand. Sklar took it.

“Thank you, Healer Sklar” Cian said.

“If there is anything I can do to help, Cian, please do not hesitate to contact me.”

Cian nodded. Then she slowly turned and walked out of the healer’s office.

----------------

The door to the healer’s office opened. Cian walked through it. Aalea took in a sharp breath. Cian’s eyes were wide and her face was drawn as if she’d been up all night. Aalea stood and went over to her.

“Cian, are you all right?”

Cian started, then looked over at Aalea.

“Aalea? What are you doing here?”

“I was waiting for you. I wanted to see if you’d like to have dinner with me.”

“Dinner? No, I’m not very hungry, dear.”

Aalea reached over and took Cian’s arm. “You don’t look so good, Cian. Let me take you home.”

Cian reached over and patted Aalea’s hand. “Thank you, yes, that would be nice of you.”

As they walked through the corridors towards the entrance to the Temple, Aalea noted Cian kept glancing around her as if she were looking for someone.

“Are you looking for Master Qui-Gon,” Aalea asked.

“What? No, I mean, yes, I suppose I should talk to him,” she murmured.

“I’m sorry, Cian. He’s not here. He and Obi-Wan have gone off on some mysterious mission. I don’t know where, but Master Windu said they should be back in a few days.”

“A mission? Oh, well, then I’ll see him when he gets back.”

Aalea watched the emotions which sped across Cian’s face. She could see something was bothering her. As they made their out of the Temple to the speederbus terminal, Aalea hoped Cian wasn’t having a relapse from her ordeal on Jalat. She had been doing so well.

--------------------

Cian woke, her heart beating wildly within her. She glanced at the wall chrono. It was early in the morning. She looked around. Something had woken her. Then she heard it. It was the comlink on her desk. She rose from her bed and ran to it.

An image formed over the desk. It was Qui-Gon.

“I’m sorry, Cian. Did I wake you?”

“Qui-Gon! Where are you, dear?”

“At the temple. Obi-Wan and I have just returned from Naboo.”

“Naboo?”

“Yes. I don’t have much time. I’m scheduled to meet with the Jedi Council shortly. I just wanted to let you know I had returned.”

Even through the holoimage, Cian could sense Qui-Gon was excited about something.

“Qui-Gon, what’s happened?”

He took a deep breath. “I can’t explain it all right now. But I have much to tell you. I’ll contact you again, after the meeting.”

“All right. I have something to tell you also.”

“I look forward to hearing it.” He smiled warmly at her. “I’ll see you later, my love.” He cut the connection.

Cian sat slowly in the chair. Suddenly she shivered. When such a thing had happened to her as a child, Cian’s nursemaid used to frighten her by saying someone had just walked over her grave. Cian was a grown woman, no longer a child. But she couldn’t shake the sense of dread which stole over her.

---------------

Aalea walked through the halls of the Temple. The whole place was in a stir. Ever since Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan had returned from Naboo with its young Queen, rumors had been flying thick and fast through the Temple. Aalea had only been able to pick up snatches of it. Reports about a mysterious dark warrior who had engaged Qui-Gon on the planet of Tatooine, whispers about a prophecy come to life, talk that Qui-Gon had found the Chosen One.

Aalea shook her head. And now there was disturbing news from the Senate. The young Naboo Queen had boldly called for a vote of no confidence in Chancellor Valorum’s leadership. As a result, three candidates had been selected to replace him. Word had not yet reached the Temple as to whom had been chosen. As Aalea passed through the corridors, she could see knots of initiates, knights and masters talking excitedly among themselves.

She turned towards the area of the Temple where the quarters were located. After walking for a bit, she finally came to Obi-Wan’s door. She rang his chime. The door opened and she stepped inside.

Obi-Wan was standing in the common room, his back to her as he looked out the window. The room was dark except for one small glowlamp. Aalea walked slowly over to him.

“Obi-Wan?” she said. “Are you all right?”

He didn’t answer her at first. Aalea reached to him through their bond. He was shielding against her, but she could sense his unease.

“I can’t stay long, Aalea,” he said, his back still to her. “I only came to change my uniform. Qui-Gon and I are scheduled to meet again with the Council.”

Aalea reached over and touched his arm.

“What‘s wrong, dearheart?”

He sighed as he continued to stare out the window.

“It’s the boy. The one Qui-Gon found on Tatooine.”

“What about him?”

“Qui-Gon believes he’s the Chosen One. That he will bring balance to the Force.”

“But you do not believe this?”

Obi-Wan turned and looked down at her, his eyes unreadable in the darkness of the room.

“I don’t know what to believe, Aalea. In all the years I’ve been with Qui-Gon, I’ve never doubted him. Not once. But this.” He shook his head. “Something’s not right about it but I can’t put my finger on it. All I know is the boy is dangerous.”

“Dangerous? In what way?”

“I’m not sure,” he whispered.

Aalea slipped her arm around his waist. For a moment he didn’t move, then he put his arm about her shoulder.

“Obi-Wan, you must trust Master Qui-Gon in this.”

“I want to, Aalea. The Force knows I want to.”

“Then do so.” She reached up and touched his face. “Trust him.”

Obi-Wan nodded, then looked down at her.

“I have to go, Aalea.”

She pulled away from him. “I know.”

He cupped her face, then leaned down and gently kissed her. Aalea closed her eyes and sighed. Her heart beat quickly as he slowly and softly moved his lips over hers.

“Sweet Aalea,” he whispered against her mouth.

Then she felt him pull away and he was gone. She opened her eyes and looked at her reflection in the darkened glass of the window, the lights of Courscant a glittering backdrop. She was not surprised to see tears in her eyes.

---------------------

Cian watched as Qui-Gon paced in front of her, his robe sweeping behind him. He had come to see her at her apartment but had let her know he couldn’t stay long. However, during the time he’d been there, he’d quickly told her everything that had happened on his mission. She listened breathlessly as he described his and Obi-Wan’s escape from the treachery of the Trade Federation, the beauty of the Gungan’s hidden city and Naboo’s capital of Theed, the bravery of the young Queen, his encounter in the desert with the dark warrior, the freeing of the boy named Anakin, and his unwavering belief he was the Chosen One.

“The Council doesn’t believe it,” he said. “I can see it in their eyes. But I’m certain of it.”

He turned towards Cian, his blue eyes bright with conviction.

“This boy, he burns with the Force, Cian. I know he is the Chosen One.”

Cian sat, her hands in her lap. “What will happen now?”

“He is to be tested by the Council.” Qui-Gon voice firmed. “He must be trained. I know he is meant to bring balance.”

Qui-Gon sat and took Cian’s hands in his.

“This could change everything, Cian.”

“Then I’m very happy for you, Qui-Gon.”

He nodded, but before he could say another word the comlink on his belt chimed. He pulled it up and activated it.

“Yes.”

“Master.” Cian heard Obi-Wan’s voice. “The Council is about to start the boy‘s testing. You should return to the Temple as soon as possible.”

“Thank you, Obi-Wan. I’ll be there shortly.”

Qui-Gon turned off the comlink and put it back on his belt. He looked over at Cian.

“I have to go.”

“Of course. I’ll see you later?”

“I’m not sure. You heard what happened with Valorum?”

Cian looked down and nodded. She had not had a chance to speak to him since the no confidence vote and was terribly worried about him.

“I’ll try to get back, though, if I can,” Qui-Gon said.

He leaned over and quickly kissed her. Then he stood and walked swiftly out the door.

Cian sat on the couch, staring at the door through which he had gone. She hadn’t even gotten a chance to tell him about their baby. She sighed. She would tell him when he returned.

-----------------------

Aalea stared back at Yoda. The Jedi Master had asked her to come to his quarters. Aalea had never been in Yoda’s quarters, though Obi-Wan had told her about it. Now, as she sat on a small green cushion before him, she still couldn’t believe what he had just told her or, most importantly, why.

“Master Qui-Gon wants to train Anakin? Take him as his padawan-learner?”

“Yes.”

“But what about Obi-Wan? What will happen to him?”

“Qui-Gon for him the Trials has recommended.”

“Will he be allowed to take them?”

“That the Council has not decided. Nor whether to allow Master Qui-Gon this boy to take on.”

“Where are they now?”

“To Naboo have we ordered them to return. The young Queen plans her homeworld to take back.”

Aalea had not had a chance to see Queen Amidala. She had stayed in the apartments provided for her near the Senate Chambers, but Aalea had heard that not only was she a brave and capable ruler, she was also very beautiful.

“But Obi-Wan and Master Qui-Gon can’t fight a war for her?”

“No, they can not. There for her protection are they.”

Aalea nodded. “And where is the boy?

“With them is he.”

“Master, what is going to happen? The Senate has elected Senator Palpatine as the new Chancellor. What will that mean?”

“It means change things will.”

“But for the better or the worse, Master?”

“Change things will.”

Aalea took a deep breath. She looked down at her hands, then back up at Yoda who was watching her with his large wise eyes.

“Master?”

“Yes, Aalea.”

“I’m afraid.”

“I know. That is why I asked you to come.”

“You felt my fear?”

Yoda looked around him and moved his hand through the air.

“All around us is fear, Padawan Aalea. Something stirs. A darkness. Strong must you be. And for Mistress Nyal, even stronger.”

“Cian? I don’t understand?”

“The future always in motion it is. Like moonlight on the water. And, yet, just as a single pebble can the patterns in the water shift, so can a single word or deed the future change.”

He leaned forward and put his hand on Aalea’s.

“Close to her stay. There for her be.”

“Yes, Master. I will,” Aalea replied though she still did not understand what Yoda wanted of her. But she would obey him.

Yoda nodded, then gestured that the meeting was over.

Aalea stood and bowed. She turned and left Yoda’s quarters and, as she walked down the corridors, her heart was heavy with foreboding.

------------

Cian sat in Valorum’s apartments near the Senate Chambers. She had finally gotten through to him and asked if she could come see him.

Now, they sat together in his large common room. A fire burned in the fireplace and two goblets, one empty, the other half filled sat on the glass table in front of them. Cian was holding his hand.

“It happened so fast,” Valorum said quietly. “But, I should have expected it.”

“How could you have expected it, Finis. You were her strongest supporter. I still don’t understand how she could have done such a thing.”

Valorum shook his head.

“Don’t blame Queen Amidala, Cian. She did what she thought was best for her people.”

“I realize that, but I hope that in doing what she thought was best for Naboo, she didn’t do something that could prove disastrous for the Republic.”

Valorum reached over and picked up the half empty glass. He sipped it thoughtfully.

“Time will only tell.” He glanced over at her. “Now, tell me. What is wrong?”

Cian smiled sadly. “I could never hide anything from you, could I?”

“No, not even when you were a little girl.”

She sighed “Before I came over, Aalea contacted me. She told me Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan have returned to Naboo with the Queen.”

Valorum nodded. “The Jedi Council ordered them to return.”

“Why?”

“I’m not sure. I believe it has something to do with this mysterious warrior Qui-Gon encountered on Tatooine.”

He squeezed her hand when he saw the look of concern in her eyes.

“Don’t worry, Cian. They’ll be all right. They’re just there to protect the Queen.”

Cian shook her head. “But if she’s planning to take back her homeworld, it could mean war.”

“Yes, but Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan can take care of themselves.” Valorum leaned over and picked up the empty glass. “Are you certain you don’t want any?”

“No, thank you.”

Valorum put the glass down. He eyed Cian.

“Are you going to tell me the rest?”

Cian took a deep breath. “I haven’t even told him. I should tell him first.”

“Tell who what, Cian?”

She gazed back at him. Valorum was the closet thing she had to a father. And right now she felt terribly alone and frightened.

“I’m pregnant, Finis. With Qui-Gon’s child.”

Valorum’s eyes widened. “And he doesn’t know?”

Cian shook her head. “I was going to tell him, but he was so excited about that boy he’d found. I didn’t know what to do. And now Aalea tells me he wants to take the boy on as his padawan-learner.” She sighed deeply. “How can I tell him something like this?”

“Cian, he has a right to know. You can’t keep this from him.”

“I know, Finis. I know. I’ll tell him when he returns. I promise.”

Valorum reached over and took Cian in his arms and, as she rested her head against his chest, she thought about Qui-Gon and how, even now, he could be in the middle of a war, fighting for his life.

--------------------

Part Thirty-Four

Aalea lay in her bed in her quarters but, as she drifted off to sleep, instead of the darkness and silence which should have come with slumber, the Force matrix shimmered like a golden web within her mind. She tried to pull away from it, but was unable to. Her awareness was seized by it and thrust onto its latticework of light and energy.

Aalea’s heart beat wildly in her chest. She had never heard of such a thing happening before. Any traverse of the matrix was always a conscious choice, but this was being done to her. As Aalea’s awareness streaked through the interstices of time and space along the matrix, she recognized the thread upon which she moved. It was the bond which connected her to Obi-Wan.

Soon, before Aalea could take another breath, a blue jewel of a planet appeared before her, spinning in the blackness of space. Her awareness fell through its azure skies and sailed over its green plains and dark swamps until she saw before her a beautiful building set on the edge of a series of waterfalls. Like a stone she fell, faster and faster, until she was inside a large starship hangar.

Mangled pieces of droids littered the floor of the hangar and among the debris stood three men. Two stood together, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, their lightsabers raised. The third, a dark-clad figure with a black and red tattooed face, confronted them, a double-bladed lightsaber in his hand. Aalea recognized him as the Sith warrior whom Qui-Gon had encountered on Tatooine.

It was toward Obi-Wan that Aalea’s awareness sped. She could sense he wasn’t aware of her presence, but she could feel everything he was feeling; the quick thud of his heartbeat, the adrenaline surging through his body, the tightening and relaxing of his muscles as he prepared himself in the Jedi way for battle. She was both inside and outside him, feeling everything he felt, yet observing the whole thing as if she were watching a holovid.

Suddenly, Obi-Wan somersaulted over his opponent. His lightsaber hummed as he engaged the black-clad warrior. The Sith was agile and fast, blunting Obi-Wan’s attack with a lethal ease. However, Obi-Wan exulted at his adversary’s prowess and Aalea shared his thrill at finally facing an opponent worthy of his years of tutelage under Master Qui-Gon.

The Sith lunged at Qui-Gon, knocking him down. Qui-Gon rolled swiftly back up, his long hair streaming behind him as he pressed his attack against their adversary. Obi-Wan followed Qui-Gon’s lead, master and apprentice working as one against the dark warrior.

With a sharp flick of his hand, the Sith levitated a piece of debris and hurled it towards the controls of the huge door behind him. The massive doors swung open. Obi-Wan stalked after the their opponent, confidently twirling his lightsaber, his heart beating furiously.

The Sith led Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon deeper into the bowels of the complex. The two Jedi pursued him, their blades snapping and crashing against his. They entered what Aalea could see was a huge power station. Catwalks and bridges crisscrossed over gaping pits which housed the generators of the complex. Huge radiant pillars of energy beams bathed the room in alternating bands of darkness and light. The three battled fiercely over a suspended catwalk, the clash and sizzle of their lightsabers echoing in the cavernous room.

Obi-Wan feinted at the Sith, then Qui-Gon cut across him, his blade swinging. Avoiding the deadly blow, the Sith leapt from the catwalk onto the one behind him. When he landed, he leered over at the Jedi. Obi-Wan flipped over to the bridge on which the Sith stood, Qui-Gon beside him and once more they engaged their adversary.

They battled down the length of the catwalk, Obi-Wan on one side of the dark warrior, Qui-Gon the other. Aalea felt Obi-Wan drawing more and more on the Force and with that fresh fount of power surging through him, he slashed furiously at the Sith, seeking a breach in his defense. Sparks flew from the clash of their lightsabers.

Then, briefly, Obi-Wan lost his focus and the Sith, sensing this, kicked out with his left leg, pushing Obi-Wan from the bridge. Aalea watched in horror as he fell. He slammed onto the catwalk below and rolled over the ledge, but managed to grab on. Aalea’s heart lurched as she watched him dangling. He held on long enough to catch his breath, then pulled himself onto the bridge.

Obi-Wan picked up his lightsaber from where it had fallen. He glanced up at the catwalk above him as Qui-Gon continued to press his attack. With a powerful blow, Qui-Gon backhanded the Sith onto the next level. He then jumped after him, his lightsaber raised.

Obi-Wan drew upon the Force and propelled himself upward to the level upon which Qui-Gon and the Sith were battling. He landed lightly on his feet and activated his lightsaber. Qui-Gon continued to push the Sith down the walkway, their lightsabers clashing.

Obi-Wan ran after them. Aalea could see that Qui-Gon and the Sith were approaching the entrance of a long corridor. But as the two entered the corridor, she also saw with horror that it was lined with laser turrets.

Qui-Gon pursued the Sith down the corridor. Obi-Wan ran after them but, before he could enter it, lasers ricocheted off the walls, pulsing in thin streams of red light. The Sith, who was furthest down the corridor, was trapped between one wall of lasers, Qui-Gon another, but Obi-Wan hadn’t gotten past the first barrier.

The Sith touched the barrier with his lightsaber. It sizzled at the contact, but held. Sneering at Qui-Gon, he deactivated his lightsaber. Holding it loosely in his hand, he paced before the barrier which separated him from Qui-Gon, his tiger-eyed gaze focused on the Jedi.

Qui-Gon, meanwhile, had dropped to his knees. He lifted his head and Aalea knew he was meditating, drawing upon the Force to replenish his strength and aid him when he once again engaged his adversary.

Questions flashed through Aalea‘s mind as the vision unrolled before her eyes. Why hadn’t Qui-Gon waited for Obi-Wan? Why had he pressed his attack so fiercely against the Sith?

Obi-Wan closely examined the length of the corridor and the position of the laser turrets. Aalea knew, just as he did, that he would have to be fast, very fast, if he hoped to reach the end of the corridor before the lasers reactivated.

Obi-Wan looked over at the Sith. Sensing the younger Jedi’s gaze, the Sith stopped his pacing. He stared back at Obi-Wan, his orange eyes glowing with hatred. Then, shifting his gaze back towards the still meditating Qui-Gon, the Sith gestured dismissively at him. He then looked back at Obi-Wan and grinned wickedly, his eyes glittering with blood-lust.

Obi-Wan gritted his teeth and clenched his lightsaber. Aalea could feel him tensing and relaxing his muscles as he battle-prepared his body. It was nearly time. Obi-Wan activated his lightsaber, his body taut, all of his awareness focused on the distance he had to cover in order to reach Qui-Gon.

The laser beams shut off.

Obi-Wan ran, his arms and legs pumping. Qui-Gon erupted from the floor, his lightsaber flashing over his head as he powered through the entrance to the melting pit to close once again with the dark warrior.

Obi-Wan pushed herself to the end of the corridor but, even as he neared the entrance to the pit, Aalea could hear the buzz of the machinery as the lasers began to recycle. Obi-Wan slid to a stop as the lasers crisscrossed before him, his boots skidding on the floor. He powered down his lightsaber and peered anxiously through the blazing mesh of light to where Qui-Gon and the Sith battled furiously about the narrow ledge of the pit.

Qui-Gon bore into his opponent, engaging him stroke for stroke, driving him back along the pit’s edge. Hope surged within Aalea as she saw the dark warrior was on the defensive.

_Hold on, Master_, Aalea thought. _Obi-Wan is here. He’s here_.

The Sith and the Jedi fought, neither giving the other any quarter, their lightsabers thrumming and clashing in the small room which encircled the pit. They whirled about each other, their concentration on the other almost visible to Aalea. It was the Dark and the Light, she realized, the two opposing energies of the Force, locked in the eternal battle of good and evil. Then Aalea saw Qui-Gon was weakening. Sweat poured down his face. He labored to catch his breath, even as he continued to match the Sith stroke for stroke.

Obi-Wan drew so close to the laser barrier Aalea could almost feel the energy purling over her own skin. His heart hammered inside his chest, his breath quickening and Aalea knew he too saw Qui-Gon’s strength was waning.

The Sith forced Qui-Gon back along the pit’s edge. Then, unbelievably swift, he quickly parried one of Qui-Gon’s downstrokes. Qui-Gon was unable to counter the move and the Sith cuffed him sharply on the chin.

Qui-Gon staggered back from the blow, his lightsaber reeling above his head. Then, with a quick reverse lunge, the Sith thrust his blade through Qui-Gon‘s body.

In her bed on Coruscant, her mind filled with the horrifying vision, Aalea screamed. _NO! MASTER! NO!_

Qui-Gon turned his head as if he had heard her, his eyes searching. The Sith jerked the lightsaber from Qui-Gon’s chest and leapt nimbly back. Qui-Gon groaned, his eyes widening as the pain swelled through him. His lightsaber clattered to the floor. Arms hanging limply at his sides, he dropped heavily to his knees. Then, gazing anxiously over at Obi-Wan, he pitched forward and lay motionless on the floor.

Aalea screamed again, and Obi-Wan with her, and their voices echoed together down the corridors of space and time.

--------

Cian shuddered awake.

“Qui-Gon!” she cried.

Cian sat up, gasping and panting in terror. Something was terribly wrong. She felt it like a blade in her heart. She glanced wildly around. She had heard someone screaming. It had sounded like Aalea. It must have been a dream, but something inside Cian told her it was not. If she’d been an ordinary person, someone without Force sensitivity, she would have brushed it off as only a dream. But it had been something more. A definite disturbance in the Force. Cian rose from her bed and quickly dressed.

-------------

Aalea woke up. Her sleep gown was drenched with sweat and her heart was racing. Terror and horror surged through her. She leapt from her bed, dashed from the sleep room into the common area and out into the Temple corridors. She ran down the hall, her bare feet slipping on the polished floors. Blindly she ran, her only thought to find someone, anyone who could help.

“Master Yoda!” she called as she ran, her voice echoing through the corridors. “Please, someone!”

An initiate grabbed her. Aalea pulled at his arms.

“Please, find Master Yoda! Quickly!”

“What’s wrong? Are you hurt? Are you ill?” he asked as he held her firmly.

Aalea struggled against him. “Let me go! I’ve got to find Master Yoda!”

Aalea saw people running out of their rooms, moving towards her.

“Please, he’s dying! And Obi-Wan. Oh, gods, he’s alone! He’s alone with the dark one! Let me go!”

Then Aalea saw Master Windu running down the corridor towards her. She pulled herself free of the boy who had been holding her and pushed her way through the crowd which had gathered.

“Master Windu,” she cried as she ran to him.

“Aalea, what’s wrong?”

“Master Qui-Gon,” Aalea sobbed as she fell into his arms. “Oh gods, he’s dying! The dark one. You must help. Obi-Wan is alone with him. The dark one will kill him!”

“Aalea, you were having a bad dream. Calm down.”

“No!” she screamed. “It wasn’t a dream. It was real. I saw it! I saw it! You must help him, Master. Please help him!”

Windu looked down at her, then she saw his eyes flicker to her right.

Glancing over Aalea saw Healer Sklar moving towards her, something bright in her hand.

“No!” Aalea struggled in Windu’s arms, but he was too strong. “No, don’t sedate me! It wasn’t a dream. It wasn’t---”.

Something cold entered Aalea’s arm. She felt herself falling into unconsciousness.

“No. Please. Don’t. Obi-Wan,” she whispered.

And then there was nothing.

------------------------

Aalea woke up. A ceiling arched over her. She recognized it as the one in the Healer’s wing. She swallowed and took a breath. Looking over she saw Cian sitting in a chair next to her. Her eyes were closed.

“Cian,” Aalea said. But her throat was so dry, she could hardly get the word out.

“Cian,” she said a little louder.

Cian’s eyes flew open and she looked quickly over at Aalea.

“Aalea,” she said as she stood and moved next to the bed. “How are you feeling, dear?”

“My throat is so dry.”

Cian turned and poured some water from a pitcher on the nightstand into a small glass. She held it to Aalea’s mouth and helped her drink from it. When Aalea was finished, Cian put the empty glass on the table. Then she sat next to Aalea on the bed and took her hand.

Aalea gazed up at Cian. She noted the dark shadows under her eyes, the tautness of her pale features. She looked as if she had aged a decade.

“He’s dead, isn’t he?” Aalea asked in a small voice.

Cian’s eyes darkened with anguish. She cupped Aalea’s face and held it gently.

“Yes, dove,” she said quietly. “Qui-Gon is dead.”

Aalea closed her eyes as pain like a thousand arrows pierced through her soul.

“No, not Master Qui-Gon! No!” Aalea cried, rocking back and forth, her body shuddering. Master Windu had thought she’d been dreaming and she’d tried so hard to convince him she wasn’t. Now she wished with all her heart it had only been a dream. Cian reached quickly over and held Aalea tightly.

“No, Cian, he can’t be gone,” Aalea wailed. “Oh, please tell me it was just a dream. He can‘t be gone. I won‘t let him be gone.”

Deep sobs racked Aalea’s body and she could feel her heart tearing apart as the full realization that the tall and gentle man she had loved all her life was truly dead. Her grief was like a storm, raging and uncontrolled. She buried her face on Cian’s chest.

“Oh, Cian, please tell me it’s not true! Please tell me he hasn‘t left me!”

“Oh, little one, by the Lady I wish I could tell you that,” Cian said, her voice choked with grief, her arms tight around Aalea. “I wish I could tell you it was only a dream. But it wasn’t a dream, my love, it wasn‘t.”

Aalea could feel Cian’s tears splashing on her hair. She lifted her head and looked up at her.

“Oh, Cian, what about you? What about you?”

Cian gazed back at Aalea for a long moment. She lifted her hand and wiped quickly at the tears on her face. Then she took Aalea’s hand in hers and placed it gently on her stomach.

“Reach out, Aalea. Reach out through the Living Force as Qui-Gon taught you. What do you feel?”

Aalea took a breath and opened her awareness. She felt her hand grow warm as it lay on Cian’s stomach. Then she felt it. Like a tingling under her palm. Tiny, flickering, but alive. She looked up into Cian’s face.

“Is it...?”

Cian nodded, a small smile on her grief-ravaged face.

“Qui-Gon’s child. So you see, Aalea. I haven’t lost him. Completely.”

Aalea leaned over and placed her head against Cian’s stomach. She reached out with her thoughts to the glowing bubble of life within Cian‘s womb.

_Don’t be afraid, little one. I’m here. I’ll always be here for you._

Cian smiled down at Aalea and softly stroked her hair.

Then, suddenly, Aalea remembered the rest of her vision. She sat up, a look of horror on her face.

“Obi-Wan! Is he dead too?” Aalea asked, her voice thick with tears.

“Oh no, dove, no! Not at all! Obi-Wan is very much alive. He’s fine.”

“But, but, I saw him, he was alone, when Qui-Gon was....he was alone with the dark warrior.”

“Yes, but Obi-Wan killed him. He killed him,” Cian repeated and Aalea heard the grim satisfaction in her voice.

Tears spilled from Aalea’s eyes as both her grief at Qui-Gon’s death and her joy that her love was still alive warred within her heart.

“Is Obi-Wan here?”

“No, he hasn’t returned from Naboo yet. The funeral...,” Cian gasped and took a deep breath, “is going to be held on Naboo. The Council has already left for it.”

“Already left? How long was I unconscious?”

“A few hours.”

“Why did they sedate me, Cian? Didn’t they believe me? Did they think I was only dreaming?”

“They were afraid you would hurt yourself. They now know it wasn’t a dream.”

“But, why didn‘t you go with the Council? Wouldn’t they let you?”

“Master Yoda said I could come if I wished. But I wanted to be here when you awoke, dove. I didn’t want you to be alone when you heard about....about Qui-Gon. And also because....”

Cian stopped, her throat working, tears glistening in her eyes.

“Because I know what the Jedi do to their fallen,” she went on in a pain-lashed whisper. She bit her quivering lip. “I know I couldn’t just stand there and watch as they....as they....burned him!”

Cian covered her face with trembling hands and her body shook uncontrollably from the sobs which ripped through her.

“Qui-Gon! Oh, gods! Qui-Gon!”

Aalea quickly took Cian into her arms and the two women wept and wept for the one they had both loved so dearly. And for awhile the Healer’s Wing in the Jedi Temple on the capital world of the Republic was filled with the anguish of two broken and shattered hearts.

----------------------

“Why haven’t you gone to see him, Aalea?”

Aalea laid down the sealant she was using to close up the boxes and stared over at Cian. They were in Cian’s apartment where Aalea had been spending the last three weeks. Ever since Qui-Gon’s death Aalea had been plagued by recurring nightmares. Cian had finally intervened and asked Yoda if Aalea could be allowed some leave time off from her duties. Yoda had granted it. Cian had then insisted Aalea stay with her.

Now Aalea was helping Cian pack her things. Valorum had decided to retire to his homeworld following his removal from the Chancellorship. Cian was going with him. She had resigned from her job at the Diplomatic Corps. She had told Aalea she wanted to have her baby as far away from Coruscant as she could. She didn‘t want anyone in the Order to know she was carrying Qui-Gon‘s child and she had made Aalea promise to keep it a secret.

“Even from Obi-Wan?” Aalea had asked.

Cian’s dark gray eyes had bored into Aalea’s.

“Especially from Obi-Wan. He has a great responsibility now. Not only is he a Jedi Knight, he is master to the Skywalker boy. If he knew Qui-Gon had a child, what do you think he would do?”

“He’d want to protect it.”

“Yes, and I don’t want him torn between his responsibility to Anakin and his sense of obligation to Qui-Gon’s child. Will you be able to keep it secret from him, in spite of your bond?”

“I think so,” Aalea had said. Cian had nodded, then hugged her tightly.

Now, Aalea watched as Cian brushed back a strand of her hair and stood from where she had been packing her holo-books. She walked over to Aalea and put her arm about her shoulder.

“You should go and see him.”

Aalea shook her head. “He doesn’t want to see me, Cian.”

“You don’t know that for sure, dove.”

Aalea shrugged. “He’s busy anyway, what with Anakin’s training and all.”

Aalea still couldn’t believe Obi-Wan had taken on a padawan-learner so quickly. The day he and Anakin returned to the Temple, Aalea had already been staying with Cian for a week. She had hoped Obi-Wan would contact her once he returned to Coruscant, but he hadn’t.

When she had tried to reach out to him through their bond, she had discovered he was shielding against her. That had hurt her the most. Finally, she had convinced herself Obi-Wan was trying to tell her that whatever had been between them was now over. It was as Master Yoda had predicted. Everything had changed.

Aalea quickly finished sealing the box, picked it up and placed it with the others which were stacking up in the common room. Cian would be leaving in another week. Aalea didn’t know what she was going to do once she was gone. As far as Aalea was concerned, she would be all alone. Master Qui-Gon was gone and it looked like she had also lost Obi-Wan. Tears welled in her eyes. Cian walked over and hugged her.

“It’ll be all right, dove. Don’t worry. It’ll be all right.”

------------------

Obi-Wan knelt on one knee before Yoda. He recalled the last time he had been summoned to Yoda’s quarters. At that time he had been told that Aalea was going to be assigned to him as his acting apprentice. It seemed like a lifetime ago. Now, as Obi-Wan thought of her, he recalled how hurt he’d been when he had returned to the Temple and discovered she was gone. He had soon learned she was staying with Cian, but he had been unable to bring himself to contact her for fear of having to face Cian.

He sighed. Although Qui-Gon had not told him, Obi-Wan knew he and Cian had become lovers and he also knew his master’s love had healed her and made her whole again. How could Obi-Wan face her knowing it was because of him that Qui-Gon was dead. No, he thought, he could not see her. And therefore he could not see Aalea.

Realizing he had been frowning, Obi-Wan glanced over at Yoda. The Jedi Master was sitting on his green cushion silently watching him. His ears twitched as he leaned towards Obi-Wan.

“How feel you?” he asked.

Obi-Wan swallowed. He was tempted to give Yoda a smooth answer; he was fine, he was all right, everything was great. But he couldn’t lie and, even if he did, Yoda would see right through him.

“I feel nothing, Master,” he said instead.

Yoda nodded. He stared at Obi-Wan silently for a long moment.

“The boy, Skywalker,” he finally said, “with me for a few days will stay.”

“With you, Master?”

“Yes.”

“But, I’m still in the process of completing his indoctrination.”

“Complete it I will.”

Obi-Wan was confused. Was the Council already regretting their decision to let him take Anakin on as his apprentice? They couldn’t, he thought firmly. He had promised his master he would train the boy and Obi-Wan was determined to keep that promise, even if it killed him.

“I don’t understand, Master. Is there something wrong? Have I---?”

Yoda raised his hand.

“Nothing is wrong. You the boy’s master will be. But, time you need. Time to learn how to feel again.”

Obi-Wan lowered his head. If that was what Yoda was hoping would happen it would be, as far as Obi-Wan was concerned, time wasted. He didn’t think he could ever feel anything again. There was a wasteland in his heart and a bleak wind howled across it. The seeds of that wind had been sown with the last breath his master had exhaled onto his face as Obi-Wan had held him, dying, in his arms on Naboo.

“Master Yoda, I do not think---”

“Thinking is not required, young Obi-Wan. Only obedience.”

Obi-Wan inclined his head.

“Yes, Master,” he said softly.

“Bring the boy to my quarters this afternoon. To you he will be returned at the end of the week.”

Obi-Wan stood and bowed. As he turned to leave, Yoda called out to him.

Obi-Wan looked back.

“Padawan Aalea to Temple has returned. Thought you might like that to know.”

Obi-Wan hesitated for a moment. The expression on his face did not change. It remained composed and stoic.

“Thank you, Master,” Obi-Wan said. He turned and left Yoda’s quarters.

Yoda shook his head sadly as the door closed behind the young Jedi Knight.

----------------

Part Thirty-Five

Aalea sat in the common room of her quarters. It was near midnight. She had not wanted to come back to the Temple, but when she received the message from Yoda ordering her to do so, she could not disobey him. She had thought he had some duty he wanted her to fulfill, but when she inquired all she was told was that Yoda wanted her back in the Temple.

Aalea stood up and walked into her sleeproom. Sighing, she sat down on her bed and picked up a black lacquered box from her nightstand. She opened it and pulled out the violet ribbon Obi-Wan had given her on Sylvonna.

Aalea ran the ribbon through her fingers. She had not seen Obi-Wan since she had returned to the Temple a few days ago. She’d heard that Master Yoda had taken the Skywalker boy under his wing for a bit. But when she asked around, she was told no one had seen Obi-Wan for the past few days. Aalea folded the ribbon and put it back into the box. She was tempted to reach out to him through their bond, but she feared coming up against the hard blank walls of his mental shields.

Aalea glanced at the tablechrono. She stood up and quickly changed into her sleep gown. Reaching up, she loosened her hair from its bun and, as she brushed it, hard as she tried not to, she wept. She put the brush down and laid in her bed. Funny, she thought, she’d never noticed before that when you cry at night, the tears run into your ears. She reached over and pressed off the light.

----------------------

Obi-Wan watched dispassionately as a Calamarian and a Gamorrean wrestled at the end of the bar. He wasn’t exactly sure why he had come to this place, one of the thousands of seedy lairs like it which existed on the lower levels of Coruscant. Like all such places it was noisy and smoky and reeked of too many bodies. He supposed he had come because it was easy to lose oneself in a place like this.

Obi-Wan wasn’t wearing his Jedi attire, but he did have Qui-Gon’s lightsaber hidden under his dark tunic. He hadn’t wanted to be recognized as a Jedi. He had wanted to be just as he felt; faceless, unknown, a hollow man.

The barkeep, an obese human female with purple hair, watched blankly as the Gamorrean put a headlock on the Calamarian. She shrugged, glanced down to where Obi-Wan sat by himself and wobbled over to him.

“Yar sure yar don’t be wantin’ somethin’ stronger?” she asked, her one good eye gazing skeptically at the nearly empty glass in front of him.

Obi-Wan shook his head. “No, this is fine. Thank you.”

He picked up the glass of Alderaann tea he’d been drinking and downed the rest of it quickly. Obi-Wan hadn’t had anything alcoholic to drink since the night of his birthday dinner when he and Aalea had had too much wine. He winced as he thought of her.

The barkeep leaned closer to Obi-Wan. Her breath was foul.

“Yar know, yar looks to me like yar might be just a tad lonely,” she said. “Aye, I’ve seen that look before. Missin’ yar girl, are yar? Far away is she?”

Obi-Wan only shook his head.

“Well, iffen yar interested, I can hook yar up. Iffen yar can’t be with the one yar loves, loves the one yar with me mum always said. No since spending the night alone iffen yar don’t have to. Especially a handsome young lad like yar.”

She jerked her head over to where a blue-skinned Twi’lekian female was dancing on the stage.

“Her name is Lalai. Fifty credits and she’s yars for the night.”

As Obi-Wan gazed back at the barkeep, he considered for a moment revealing to her that he was a Jedi Knight and could have her arrested for soliciting. Instead he shook his head.

“No, thanks. I’m fine.”

The barkeep leaned back. “Alrighty, then, But iffen yar change yar mind, just give a holler.”

She waddled back to the other end of the bar where the Calamarian and the Gamorrean were now buying each other drinks.

Obi-Wan sighed. He looked over at the stage. The Twi’lekian dancer gyrated her hips sinuously, her head-tails snaking down her slender back. But when Obi-Wan looked up into her face, it was vacant. Her eyes gazed indifferently across the room. Obi-Wan looked at her audience. They stared up at her, their faces equally empty and barren.

Obi-Wan looked around him. The pub was full of people who were searching for something, anything which would fill up the emptiness inside them. Gambling, liquor, drugs, a fight, a man, a woman; anything, anyone to hold onto in the darkness.

Obi-Wan closed his eyes and thought back to that moon-drenched night on Sylvonna when he and Aalea had made love and all he could see was her night-black hair flowing over her slender bare shoulder, and all he could feel was her, soft and warm in his arms, her little pants of pleasure hot and sweet on his neck, her violet eyes gazing lovingly up at him.

Obi-Wan opened his eyes, pushed his glass away and stood. He tossed more credits than the drink cost him on the bar, turned and quickly left the pub.

He knew where he wanted to be.

----------------------------

Obi-Wan chimed Aalea’s door. He had already chimed it twice. He sighed. He had left the seedy pub and come straight back to the temple. But it was very late. Aalea was more than likely asleep. He had tried. Tomorrow he would have to take Anakin back from Master Yoda and then he would have no time for her. He turned to leave, then he heard a soft voice behind him.

“Obi-Wan.”

Obi-Wan turned and his throat tightened. And suddenly it was that morning months ago, a lifetime ago, when Qui-Gon had asked him to check on Aalea. At the time he’d been unaware of what had happened between her and his master; how Aalea had impulsively kissed Qui-Gon under the influence of not only the wine they’d had at Cian’s, but her girlish crush.

Now, as he looked over at her, once again her black hair was unbound and lay heavily about her slender shoulders. Her violet eyes regarded him sleepily. But this time, instead of the cold and haughty reception he‘d received then, she smiled warmly at him. She reached out her hand. He took it and let her pull him into her quarters.

Once the door was closed, they stood for a moment and looked at each other. The room was softly lit. Aalea had turned on only one of the glowlamps in the common area when she had come to answer the door. Her eyes were shadowed in the soft light.

As Obi-Wan looked down at her, he wanted so much to take her into his arms, but he couldn’t move. She had to know, had to see, that he was only a hollow man; that a part of him had died in that melting pit on Naboo.

Aalea reached up and touched his face. Then he felt her reaching to him through their bond, but he couldn’t let her in. There was nothing there, couldn’t she see that; nothing for her to connect with, to feel, to embrace. Pain flared in Aalea’s eyes when she encountered his shields and it hurt him to see it. Then she smiled softly. She slipped her arms about him and laid her head on his chest.

“It’s all right, dearheart. It’s all right,” Aalea said softly.

Obi-Wan closed his eyes. Her voice was so sweet. Tears welled under his eyelids. Why couldn’t she see he was dead inside?

---------------------------

Aalea held onto Obi-Wan even as she noted that his arms remained at his side. When she had looked into his eyes as he had stood at her door, she had recognized that dead-eyed look. For she had seen it in her own eyes whenever she had looked in the mirror after Qui-Gon‘s death.

But Cian had helped her. Cian, who of the three of them, had lost the most, was the one who had rallied to save her. And now Aalea would do the same for Obi-Wan. He thought he could not be helped; Aalea could see that. But the fact he had come to her when he could have stayed away gave her hope.

So Aalea waited. She spoke soothingly to him, gentle words of comfort and solace, her arms around him. It wasn’t long.

At first Obi-Wan cried quietly, but then he began to weep, heart-wrenching sobs which sounded like they were being ripped from his soul. He slipped his arms around her as he buried his face on her shoulder. Aalea held him tighter.

“It’s all right, dearheart,” she said as she held him. “It’s all right.”

“Oh, Aalea. I failed him! I failed him!”

“No, Obi-Wan, you did not fail him.”

He raised his head, his eyes wild with grief.

“If only I had been stronger, quicker, I could have saved him.” His voice choked on the words.

Aalea reached up and cupped his face. She looked deep into his eyes.

“You did all you could, my love. I know that. You must stop blaming yourself.”

“How could you know?”

“Because I was there. I saw what happened. You mustn’t blame yourself for something you had no control over. Qui-Gon pressed the attack against the Sith because he was protecting you.”

“But how could you have seen...?” Realization dawned in his eyes. “The bond?”

Aalea nodded. “I can‘t explain what happened. I was pulled into the Force matrix and I went to Naboo and I was there with you. And I saw...I saw him...struck down.”

Tears welled in Aalea’s voice and in her eyes.

Obi-Wan touched her tears as they slipped over her lashes.

“Oh, Aalea,” he said softly. “I didn’t know.”

“And I was so afraid you were going to be killed too,” she sobbed. “I tried to get help, but no one believed me.”

Obi-Wan pulled Aalea close to him and they wept in each other’s arms and, as they did, the shields in Obi-Wan’s mind dropped and he flowed to her and she to him, their tears like wind and rain, sweeping through their shattered and wounded souls. They found comfort in each other’s pain and in each other’s love and, for long, tear-filled moments they stood and held onto each other, two tiny flickers of light in a universe of darkness and grief.

Finally, after all their tears were spent, they still held on, their arms warm and soft about the other. Then Aalea, her face pressed against Obi-Wan’s chest, sniffed at his tunic.

“Obi-Wan,” she said as she looked up at him. “Where have you been? You smell like one of those places the proctors used to warn us about when we were initiates.”

Obi-Wan smiled slightly down at her.

“Would you believe I was on a reconnaissance mission? Scouting out potential contacts in the hope of finally bringing in the head of the Black Sun crime organization.”

Aalea laughed softly.

“Not in a million years.” Then her eyes sobered. “Did you find what you were looking for, dearheart?”

Obi-Wan hugged her. “Yes, love. Yes, I did.”

Aalea took Obi-Wan’s hand and led him into the sleep room. They then lay on her bed and kissed and made love and cried again, for even as they found solace in each other’s arms, they also could not forget the man they had both loved and respected and missed so much. Later, much later, they both finally fell asleep, their tears drying upon the other’s cheeks.

------------------

A pink dawn glowed through the window of her sleep room as Aalea slowly opened her eyes. After the comfort of love and sleep she awoke to a treasure in her arms. Obi-Wan still slept, his lashes long and thick against his cheeks, but as Aalea gazed down at him, a frown creased his forehead. He was dreaming about the duel with the Sith. She could feel it through their bond. Aalea tightened her arms about him and pulled him close.

“Hush, dearheart, I am here. I will always be here,” and her love moved along their bond like a sweet summer breeze through the darkness and coldness in his mind. As Obi-Wan’s anguish slowly faded at her touch, he didn’t wake, but only sighed and nestled his head deeper into her shoulder.

Aalea stroked his hair and began to sing in a soft voice the lullaby Badalah had sang to her and Nadira the night following the fiasco at the banquet. Swept away by the sweetness of the song, Aalea closed her eyes and let the melody fill her heart and soul. As she sang quietly, she suddenly felt soft lips brushing against her cheek.

Startled, she stopped singing and opened her eyes. Obi-Wan was awake and looking at her. And as Aalea gazed into his eyes all the sunrises of eternity rose within them.

“Don’t stop,” he said.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you.”

Obi-Wan snuggled closer to her.

“Waking up in your arms is nothing to apologize for,” he murmured.

“Flatterer,” Aalea said.

Obi-Wan laughed softly. Then his smile faded. He reached over with both hands and slowly smoothed her hair back from her face. Aalea’s cheeks burned under the heat of his gaze and her heart hammered in her ears as she fell into the glory that was his eyes.

“Sing,” he whispered.

And she did and, as Aalea sang, she poured all her love and joy and hope into the song which soared through the soft morning air. As the last note died in Aalea’s throat she reached over and stroked Obi-Wan’s cheek. Then she noted the sunlight was growing stronger in the room.

Aalea quickly hugged him, then sat up. She looked back at him as he lay on her bed, his eyes gazing softly up at her and she thought of the way Nadira had described them. What had she called them? Bedchamber eyes. Yes, that was it.

Obi-Wan looked back at her for a long moment, his eyes full of love and longing. Then he sighed and nodded. He rose in one fluid motion and quickly put on his clothes and boots. Aalea got up from the bed and drew on a morning robe. She went into the fresher.

As Obi-Wan reached over to retrieve Qui-Gon’s lighsaber from where he had left it on Aalea’s nightstand he saw a small, black lacquered box. He opened it. Inside was the violet ribbon he had given her on Sylvonna. He stroked if for a moment, then quickly closed the box and put it back on the nightstand.

Aalea came out of the fresher. She raised her eyebrow and gestured towards it.

“Your turn,” she said smiling.

As he walked past her, he kissed her quickly on the forehead.

Aalea went into the common room and quickly checked her comlink. There were a few messages for her and, surprisingly, one for Obi-Wan.

As he came into the common room, Aalea turned to him.

“Obi-Wan, there’s a message here for you. It’s from Master Yoda. How did he know you’d be here?”

Obi-Wan went over and accessed the message. After he read it, he turned to Aalea and took her hands.

“That’s why he’s a Jedi Master, Aalea,” he said smiling, then his face sobered. “I’m afraid I must go. Anakin is waiting for me. Today is the ceremony for his formal acceptance into the Order.”

“Of course. You certainly mustn’t miss that.”

Aalea then squeezed Obi-Wan’s hand for she had felt his anxiety when he said Anakin‘s name.

“Don’t doubt yourself, Obi-Wan. You won’t fail with Anakin. Master Qui-Gon wouldn’t have asked you to train him if he had thought you weren’t up it.”

“I’m not so sure about that, Aalea.”

“Remember what I told you the night before you and Master Qui-Gon returned to Naboo? That you must trust him?”

Obi-Wan said nothing for a moment, then he finally nodded.

“You’re right,” he said. “I’d always trusted him before. I will trust him in this. I will train Anakin.”

“And you’ll do fine. I know you will.” Aalea nudged him gently in the ribs. “And it’s not as if you haven’t had practice at being a master,” she said playfully.

Obi-Wan laughed. Then his eyes sobered. “We may not get to spend much time together.”

“I know.” Aalea reached up and touched his forehead. “But we’ll never really be apart, will we?”

“No, we’ll never really be apart.”

Obi-Wan kissed her quickly.

“Thank you,” he said.

“For what?”

“For being here for me.”

Aalea slipped her arms about him and held him.

“Obi-Wan?”

“Yes?”

“Please, go and see Cian before she leaves. She misses you so much.”

“I will. I promise.” He caressed her cheek.

“Kiss me, Obi-Wan,” Aalea said. “Please, just one more time before you go.”

“You don’t have to beg me to kiss you, Aalea,” he said smiling.

He slowly lowered his mouth to hers and, just before their lips touched, Obi-Wan stopped. Aalea gazed back at him, her violet eyes full; then smiling, she closed her eyes. Obi-Wan closed his eyes and pressed his lips against hers. And as they kissed, gently at first, then more passionately, they flowed along their bond towards each other and as their kiss deepened and their souls fused, it became more than just a kiss; it was a salvation and a promise.

----------

Aalea looked around frantically. She and Cian were at the main spaceport on Coruscant. The starliner which was taking Cian and Valorum to his homeworld was scheduled to leave in a few minutes.

“He said he would be here,” Aalea said.

Cian reached over and touched her arm.

“Perhaps he was held up at the Temple,” she said gently.

“But he wanted so much to see you. To say goodbye.”

Cian turned to where the last of the passengers were boarding. She looked back at Aalea.

“I must go, Aalea. Tell him...tell him I shall miss him very much.”

Aalea’s eyes brimmed with tears. She rushed into Cian’s arms and held the woman close.

“Oh, Cian. I wish you didn’t have to go. I shall be so lonely,” Aalea cried.

Cian stroked Aalea’s hair.

“Don’t, dove. Don’t cry.” Cian pulled back and looked into Aalea’s eyes. “I will always be with you.”

Aalea nodded. Cian hugged her once more, then stepped back and turned to the boarding ramp. Just as she reached the bottom of the ramp, Aalea heard a voice cry out.

“Cian, wait.”

Aalea turned and saw Obi-Wan running towards them. Cian stopped and turned around. Obi-Wan skidded to a halt before her, then deeply bowed.

“Cian, I‘m so sorry, but I couldn’t get away,” he gasped. “I would never have forgiven myself if you had left and I didn’t get the chance to say goodbye.”

Cian stared at him for a moment, then threw her arms around him.

“Obi-Wan,” she whispered. “My dear, sweet Obi-Wan.”

“Do you forgive me, Cian?”

Cian pulled back, her eyes wide. “Forgive you? What for?”

“For not saving him.”

Cian gently shook him.

“You must never think that again, Obi-Wan,” she said firmly as she squeezed his arms. “Never. Qui-Gon died as he had lived. A true servant of the Republic and the Force. And that is what I loved about him, will always love about him. He was never false to himself.”

She kissed Obi-Wan on the cheek.

“Now, I’m afraid I must go, dear, but I hope someday I will see you again.”

She then turned to where Aalea stood and reached out her hand.

Aalea took it. Cian put Aalea’s hand in Obi-Wan’s.

“May the Force be with you both, my dearest ones.”

She kissed them quickly then turned and ran up the ramp into the ship.

Aalea wept as she watched the starliner take off, Obi-Wan’s hand still clutching hers. Once the ship was out of sight, she turned and moved into his arms, her tears soaking his tunic.

“Hush, Aalea,” Obi-Wan said softly as he held her and stroked her hair. “It will be all right. Everything will be all right.”

But, as Aalea listened to him, something in her heart told her he was wrong and nothing would ever be all right again.

----------------

Epilogue

Aalea slowly closed her eyes and her voice faded away. Luke stirred himself. He looked around and realized hours had passed since Mistress Ve’Red had first began her story. He saw out her window that the sun had gone down.

As Luke looked over at her, for a moment, instead of an old woman with wrinkled skin and thin gray hair, he saw the beautiful young woman with the night black hair and violet eyes who had loved his mentor.

“I never thought...” Luke stammered, ducked his head and blushed.

“Never thought what?” Aalea asked gently.

“I never thought, never imagined that Ben could have....”

“Been a young man filled with passion? I understand, Luke. I suppose it’s the same as trying to imagine your parents as having been young once. Very hard to do.” She smiled softly. “Believe it, dear Luke. Obi-Wan once held the fire of a dying age in his hands.”

Luke nodded. “What happened between you and Ben?”

Aalea sighed. “We tried to make it work but,” and she shook her head, “I lost him. The same way Cian lost Qui-Gon when he found your father. I lost Obi-Wan to the will of the Force. He threw himself body and soul into your father’s training. It consumed him. He was determined to fulfill Qui-Gon’s dying wish. And no matter what others may say, Obi-Wan was the finest master any apprentice could have wanted.”

Aalea sighed and picked up the photos. She smiled softly as she looked at the one taken at the picnic when she and Obi-Wan had been acting out their holovid pantomime. She then looked at the one of them together at Anakin’s wedding.

“Obi-Wan did ask me to come with him to your parent’s wedding ceremony, however.” Aalea smiled. “I remember how handsome your father looked as he stood next to your mother at the nuptial altar. And your mother...she was so very, very beautiful. She made such a fuss over me and Obi-Wan. I think she was worried that because of his responsibilities as Anakin’s master, Obi-Wan had missed out on his own share of happiness. She was so in love with your father she wanted everyone around her to be as happy as she was.”

“I wish I had known her,” Luke said softly. “I have no memory of her at all.”

“Look into your sister’s eyes, Luke. You will see your mother there.”

Luke nodded. “So, you and Ben weren’t together at all?”

Aalea shook her head sadly. “What with his mastership of Anakin and everything that was happening in the Republic; the Neosho Crusades, the Davorian Purges, the Clone Wars, the rise of the Dark Jedi, there was no time for us. During it all I lived with Cian on Valorum’s homeworld and helped her to raise Jarel.”

“Jarel? Qui-Gon’s son?“

Aalea nodded.

“You weren’t at the Temple then?” Luke asked.

“I left the Jedi Order soon after Cian left Coruscant.”

“But why?”

Aalea shook her head. “That is a story for another time, I‘m afraid.”

“When did you last see Ben?”

Aalea stared at Luke for a long time. He waited. Finally, in a soft voice she told him. “It was thirteen years after Qui-Gon’s death...”

----------------

Aalea landed her ship on a deserted island off the coast of the main continent of Sylvonna. She had received permission to enter Sylvonnan space along with a message that after her meeting with Master Kenobi, would she be so kind as to stop by and visit Queen Nadira who was anxious to see her. Aalea had smiled. She looked forward to seeing Nadira, Ishan and their ten children.

As Aalea got out of the ship Valroum had lent her, she saw another ship parked near the entrance to a grotto. She powered down the engines and sat for a moment. She thought about the terse message Obi-Wan had sent her to meet him here. However, as much as Aalea had wanted to go to him, she had also been reluctant to leave Cian and Jarel. Cian had grabbed Aalea‘s hands and squeezed them tightly.

“Go to him, Aalea, or you‘ll regret it all your life.”

Aalea exited her ship and ran toward the grotto‘s entrance. It was dark inside, but along a passageway Aalea saw a soft orange light. She hurried towards it. A chamber within the grotto glowed softly. Tall white candles had been placed along the ledges which circled a high crystalline bed covered with thick soft mantles of blue and green.

“Obi-Wan,” Aalea called. She turned around. The chamber was empty.

“Obi-Wan,” she called again. She tried to sense him through their bond but she felt nothing. Fear moved through her like a mist. Then Aalea heard a sound behind her. She turned sharply, her hand straying to the blaster in her holster.

Obi-Wan stood in the entrance to the chamber. The changes in him made her heart turn over. He was still handsome, the boyishness still visible in his face, but deep lines extended from his blue-gray eyes and there were streaks of white in his hair and in his beard. Her soul ached as she looked at him.

_Oh, dearheart_

Alea walked over to him and slowly lifted her hand to his face. She swept her fingers alongside his hair and his beard. Then, gently, she moved her hands across his lips and, as she did so, Obi-Wan gazed silently down at her, his eyes brimming.

Then, without a word, he took her into his arms and kissed her tenderly. And as they kissed, the shields in his mind collapsed, their souls joined and Aalea felt all his love and all his anguish flowing through her like a swift river. She was drowning in it, but she welcomed it, for her love was in her arms.

They touched each other hesitantly, uncertainly, for they had been apart for some time. However, as their passion flared into a firestorm which threatened to consume them both, they made their way to the bed.

And as the candles burned down to stuttering lumps around them, Obi-Wan and Aalea rediscovered the hidden keys to the lonely kingdoms which lay within their hearts. As the heat of their bodies and the joy in their hearts blazed between them, they made love, again and again, tenderly, gently, fiercely, until both were sure they would die from the sweetness of it.

Later, much later, when the light from the dying candles had softened to a muted glow, Aalea listened to the pounding of Obi-Wan’s heart as they lay, exhausted and fulfilled, within each other’s arms. Obi-Wan’s beard rubbed gently against Aalea’s forehead as he adjusted his arms about her. And, except for the fevered cries of their passion, they had not spoken a single word all night, for what need for words when their souls had been as one.

Obi-Wan kissed Aalea’s forehead. “Aalea. Look up.”

Aalea lifted her gaze to the ceiling above them. She could just make out in the dim light the image of a woman’s face painted on the curved rock.

“Who is that?” she asked softly.

“Sera, the Great Lover. We’re in one of her nuptial chambers.”

Aalea looked up at the face of the beautiful goddess.

“Well, at least it’s not a mirror.”

Obi-Wan laughed and Aalea heart’s soared at the sound of it. From the grief and pain she had sensed was lodged in his soul, she had been afraid he was incapable of ever laughing again.

“Yes, at least there‘s that,” he said chuckling softly.

“Obi-Wan. What did you mean when you said we were in one of her nuptial chambers?”

“Do you remember Badalah?”

Aalea nodded and smiled as she thought fondly of Nadira’s handmatron who, unfortunately, had passed away some years ago.

“During Nadira and Ishan‘s wedding feast,” Obi-Wan went on, “she told me that in ancient times young Sylvonnans who wanted to elope would come to one of these chambers. Once they had made love under the gaze of Sera, the goddess blessed their union and they were joined as one. Husband and wife.”

Aalea continued to gaze up at the goddess’ face.

“It’s not really legal, you know,” she said finally.

Obi-Wan laughed softly. “No, it‘s not, but we shall know in our hearts. My wife.”

“Yes,” Aalea said, as she turned to him and gazed deeply into his eyes. “We shall know. My husband.”

Obi-Wan smiled, then kissed her warmly. And as they kissed, a terrible realization stole across Aalea. She pulled away from him. Obi-Wan looked back at her, his eyes puzzled.

“You’re going to confront him, aren’t you?”

Obi-Wan said nothing for a moment, his eyes suddenly unfathomable in the shadows which danced across his face from the flickering candles.

“Yes,” he finally said.

“Don’t, Obi-Wan. Please. You can’t bring him back.”

“I have to try, Aalea. I was his master for twelve years. That has to mean something.”

Aalea hugged him tightly, her heart bursting with fear.

“Don’t go to him, please,” she begged. “He’ll destroy you. Or you’ll be forced to kill him.”

“Perhaps. But I can’t live with myself if I don’t try. It’s my fault he turned.”

Aalea shook her head angrily, her eyes blazing.

“No, it is not your fault, Obi-Wan! When will you stop blaming yourself for the actions of others! Remember what Master Qui-Gon once said. We each make our own choices and forge our own destinies. Anakin chose his.”

“I was his master. He was my responsibility.”

“And now you’re going to go and get yourself killed because you feel responsible,” Aalea cried.

Obi-Wan gently cupped her face and looked down at her.

“Aalea, you know better. I’m a Jedi Knight. Responsibility is my business,” he said smiling.

Aalea ignored his attempt to lighten the moment.

“No! Please, Obi-Wan, don’t go!” She clung to him, tears and fire in her eyes. “You can’t bring him back. It’s too late. He‘ll destroy you or the creature that turned him will.”

Obi-Wan stroked Aalea’s cheek with his fingers. He smiled sadly at her.

“Listen carefully, love,” he said. “I’ve placed a million credits in an account in your name in the Bank of Alderaan. Compensation from Bail Organa for services rendered during the Clone Wars. I want you to withdraw it and take Cian and Jarel someplace safe.”

“Jarel?” Aalea gasped. “How do you know----?”

Obi-Wan laughed softly. “Oh, love, did you really think you could keep Qui-Gon’s son hidden from me? I’ve known about him since shortly after he was born. But I knew you had swore to Cian you would keep him a secret. I’ve had people watching over him and Cian for years.” Obi-Wan‘s eyes grew haunted. “But I won’t be able to do that any longer. You must take them away, far away.”

Aalea shook her head. “I won‘t leave you.”

“You must, Aalea.”

“Come with us,” she begged. “Why must it be you who confronts him?”

“Because I know what is in his heart. Only I can show him the way back.”

“And if you can’t? What then, dearheart? What then?” Aalea cried.

“That is why I want you to take Cian and Jarel someplace safe. If I fail to bring Anakin back to the light side of the Force, the galaxy will become a very dangerous place. And if I should die, I want to die knowing you are all safe.”

“Stop talking about dying!” Aalea cried. “You can’t die! I won’t let you die.” She broke down and wept.

Obi-Wan held her as the storm of her tears overwhelmed her. He wrapped her in the warmth of his arms and waited until her tears subsided. When she stopped crying, Obi-Wan lifted her chin and looked deeply into her eyes.

“Do you remember our mission here, Aalea?”

“Yes, of course.” Aalea sniffled. “How could I forget? All you did was lecture me about Jedi decorum.”

Obi-Wan chuckled, then his expression stilled, his eyes serious again.

“I was your master then, if only for a short while. You had to obey me in all things. Pretend I’m still your master. Obey me in this.”

“You’re not my master and I’m no longer a Jedi,” Aalea said, her voice thick with tears. “I don’t have to obey you at all.”

Obi-Wan said nothing. He just looked at her and, like all the other times before, as Aalea felt herself falling into his eyes, she knew she would deny him nothing.

Aalea wiped the tears from her face. She gazed up at him.

“Promise me we won’t have to stay hidden long,” she said, her chin quivering. “Bring him back, dearheart. Bring him back.”

Obi-Wan brushed his lips across Aalea’s mouth. Aalea cried out his name and pulled him roughly, almost violently, against her, her lips urgently claiming his. And as the candles burned out about them and the darkness spread around them, Aalea’s tears intermingled with Obi-Wan’s as they made love, tenderly, lovingly, fiercely, one final time.

-----------------

“And that was the last time I ever saw him,” Aalea said to Luke. Her voice broke. “Obi-Wan confronted Anakin. There was a terrible battle. Anakin fell into a lava pit and was thought dead. But, soon after, _he_ appeared. Vader. The Dark Lord of the Sith. And I knew Obi-Wan had failed. I received one final message from him.”

“What did it say?” Luke asked.

“To take Cian and Jarel someplace safe. That he would always love me. And I would never see him again.”

“That must be when he went into hiding on Tatooine.”

“Yes. Understand, Luke, Obi-Wan would have given his life to save the Jedi, but you,” and she gazed tenderly at Luke, “you were our last hope. He had to protect you from your father and the Emperor.”

“I never realized how much he had given up to watch over me,” Luke said softly.

“It was important. For he knew, just as we all did, that the darkness was upon us. The Purge began soon after. Vader, his Dark Knights, and his cursed bounty hunters, hunted down and destroyed the Jedi Knights. And without the Jedi as guardians, the Republic was doomed.”

Aalea sighed deeply and slowly lowered her head. Then she looked up at Luke.

“You were with him, weren’t you? At the end?”

Luke nodded. “Yes, when Vader struck him down...” Pain flared in his eyes.

Aalea leaned over and took his hand. “I know, Luke. I know.”

“Did you sense what happened?” Luke asked. “Through your bond?”

Aalea sat back and folded her hands in her lap.

“I knew he was gone. I didn’t know how or why. But, yes, I felt it and I knew then that I was alone.”

“What happened to Cian and Jarel?” Luke asked.

Aalea clenched her hands and her eyes brimmed with tears

“I did as Obi-Wan instructed,” she said in a choked voice. “I took Cian and Jarel as far away as I could but it wasn’t far enough for the Emperor’s stormtroopers came. They came even to that little dustball of a world I had managed to find.” She shook her head. “They weren’t looking for us. We were only three among the millions trying to escape from the terror and the madness.”

Aalea coughed. Luke reached over and touched her arm.

“I’m all right.” She patted his hand.

Luke nodded, sat back in his chair and waited for her to continue.

“The Imperials were stopping anyone from leaving the planet as they proceeded to occupy it,” Aalea went on. “People were selling their souls for passage off planet, but I managed to get Cian and Jarel onto a starliner. Our plan was to meet up, then make our way out beyond the boundaries of the Empire. I watched as Cian and Jarel boarded the liner. Jarel was helping his mother, trying to shield her from the press of people around them. He was sixteen at the time, dark-haired and blue-eyed, but quite tall for his age. Like his father. And he had Qui-Gon’s quiet strength.”

Aalea’s face softened at the memory.

“Just before they entered the ship, Jarel turned and called out to me, ‘We‘ll wait for you on Sullust, Aunt Aalea.’ And then he smiled. Just a little smile. A gentle, little smile that was so much like Qui-Gon’s....”

Aalea’s voice broke. She touched her fingers to her mouth, pressed them against her lips.

“The starliner took off,” she went on. “I was going to follow them in another ship which was boarding at the other end of the starport. I waited to watch them leave. And that’s when I saw it.”

Aalea took a deep shuddering breath.

“A squadron of Imperial fighters buzzed around the liner like a flock of predatory birds,” she continued. “For a moment, I was sure the liner was going to make it. Then, when the Imperials couldn‘t force the liner down, they fired.”

Aalea stopped and gazed back at Luke with haunted eyes.

“The liner exploded in a fireball so big it blocked out the sun.” Aalea’s eyes shimmered as she stared back at Luke. “And just like that they were gone. They were all gone.”

Aalea dropped her face into her hands and sobbed. Luke quickly took her into his arms, holding her until all her tears were spent.

He held her for a very long time.

--------------------

As Aalea’s tears finally quieted, she pulled away from Luke. He gazed sorrowfully back at her.

“Do you ever regret, Mistress Ve’Red?” he asked.

Aalea looked over at him, her eyes soft. “Regret, young Luke?”

Luke sighed. “Having loved when you have known such pain?”

Aalea lowered her head for a moment. Then she squeezed Luke’s hands and looked back up at him, her violet eyes serene.

“No, I do not regret. Yes, there was pain, but there was also joy, Luke. Such sweet joy! I once read in one of Valorum’s book that love is the most precious gift we can give to one another. That it’s only through love that we learn who we really are.” Aalea reached over and stroked Luke’s hair. “Don’t be afraid to love, Luke. With love there is always pain, but without it there is only the abyss.”

Luke nodded. Then he frowned. “But there’s something I don’t understand, Mistress Ve’Red?”

“What is that?” she asked gently.

“Jarel. Qui-Gon and Cian’s son. From what you’ve told me it almost seems as if the Force meant for him to be born. Destined for something greater than to die so young. Was he strong with the Force?”

“Oh, yes, very strong. He had inherited both his parents’ Force sensitivity and he had Qui-Gon’s strength and Cian’s gentleness.” Aalea took a deep breath. “Yes, if he had lived he would have become a great Jedi Knight.”

“But, why?” Luke shook his head. “I don’t understand? Why did he have to die? Why did she?”

Aalea gazed sadly back at Luke. She reached over and cupped his face, tears shimmering in her eyes.

“Oh, my dear, dear Luke. Why did any of them have to die? That is the eternal question, is it not? And one I’m afraid I can’t answer.”

Aalea sat back and put her hands in her lap. Luke reached over and took her hands in his. He looked down at them. The bones of her fingers were as thin as twigs.

“Mistress Ve’Red, I want you to come back with me. To the new Republic.”

Aalea shook her head. “There’s nothing there for me, Luke. My time has come and gone.”

“Don’t say that. You were once a Jedi. And you knew them all. The great Masters. Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon, Yoda, Windu. You were there before it was all swept away. We need you.” Luke leaned closer and looked deep into her eyes. “I need you. I would like you to help me rebuild the Jedi Order.”

“Luke, I’m honored you would want me. But, I don’t know...” Aalea lowered her head.

“You don’t have to decide tonight. R2 and I will return in the morning.”

Aalea looked up at him. “But, where are you staying? I know there are no hostels in the village.”

“I’ll sleep in my ship. I‘ve done it before.”

“Nonsense.” Aalea stood and limped over to a chest. She opened it and pulled out a somewhat dusty pallet. She turned back to Luke and smiled sheepishly. “I’m afraid it’s probably not what you’re used to.”

Luke walked over to her and took the pallet from her hands.

“Believe me, Mistress Ve’Red, I slept on much worse during the war.”

Aalea nodded and smiled. She glanced over at R2 and once again Luke saw a look of recognition flit across her face, then vanish.

“Will your droid be needing anything?” she asked.

Luke looked over at R2 who trilled at him.

Luke smiled. “I think he’s saying he’s fine, but thanks for asking.”

Aalea smiled back at him.

“Well, good night, young Luke. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Good night, Mistress Ve’Red.”

Aalea turned and walked into her tiny sleeping area. As she closed the door, she looked back and saw Luke carefully laying the pallet on the floor.

Aalea closed the door. A warm feeling stole over her. Talking with Luke had brought back painful memories, yes, but it had also helped her remember that it had not all been pain and sorrow. There had been the joy of companionship, the excitement of adventure and the sweetness of love.

Aalea sat carefully on her bed and took a deep breath. She was so tired. Her life since Cian and Jarel’s deaths had been a hard one; hiding, running, trying to stay one step ahead of the Force Hunters, the assassins sent out by the Emperor and Vader to destroy anyone found to be strong with the Force.

One of the Hunters had found Aalea on Tolak and she barely got away with her life. The battle with him had been fierce and had left Aalea’s face badly burned but she had killed him and had taken great satisfaction in doing so.

Finally, she had fled here, to this bit of dust on the edge of the known galaxy. And here she had lived until she had grown old. Old, forgotten and lonely. Yes, there had been that, the terrible loneliness which she had endured all these years, longing so much for the touch and the sound and the sight of those she had loved so dearly.

Then one day, like the roar of waves from a distant ocean, Aalea heard of the Empire’s defeat and the death of both the Emperor and Vader. And, for a time Aalea had considered going back, but everyone and everything she had known was gone, swept away by a tide of darkness and oppression. It was a new time, meant for the young.

Aalea smiled. Yet, perhaps she would take Luke up on his offer. It would be good to see Coruscant again.

Aalea reached over to the small table next to her bed and picked up a black lacquered box. The edges of the box were chipped and much of its finish had rubbed off. She slowly opened it.

Inside was a long violet ribbon, frayed and faded. Aalea picked it up and pulled it gently through her twisted fingers, her eyes brimming with tears. And for a moment, a moonlit night filled with the scent of roses, orchids and the Attar of Love filled her senses.

“Dearheart,” she whispered. “He’s a good young man. You did fine, my love. You did fine.”

Aalea lay slowly down, the ribbon still clutched in her hand. Her breath moved in and out of her body for a bit as she lay in the darkened room and then, suddenly, a final exhalation; as soft as a sigh, as gentle as a whisper, as absolute as eternity.

--------------

Luke felt the morning sun shining on his face. He rolled over and sat up. Aalea’s bedroom door was still closed. He looked over at R2. The droid was still in shut down mode. Luke stood, then stretched. He then bent down, quickly rolled up the pallet and carried it over to the chest, placing it inside.

Luke looked over at Aalea’s door again. He hated to wake her, but he’d been away from Coruscant for quite some time as he had searched for her. Leia and Han would begin to worry if he didn‘t return soon.

Luke walked over to her door and knocked softly.

“Mistress Ve’Red? I’m sorry for disturbing you, but I’m afraid I’ll have to leave soon. May I come in?”

Luke waited. There was no sound. He knocked again. Then something tickled his awareness. Luke reached out to Aalea with the Force. He felt nothing. He quickly opened the door and walked in.

The tiny room was dim. A sliver of morning light through which swirling dust motes danced fell upon Aalea’s face. Luke walked over slowly. He sat on the edge of the bed. Aalea did not stir.

Luke reached over and touched the side of her neck with his fingers.

“No,” he whispered. Tears welled in his eyes. He leaned over and stroked her thin gray hair.

Then Luke glanced down and saw she was holding a faded violet ribbon. He lifted her hand and kissed it.

“Go to him,” he said softly.

--------------------------
Luke looked up as R2 warbled at him. He put down his shovel, wiped his forehead, then walked over to the droid who was finishing work on a stone slab Luke had gotten from the village.

“That’s good, R2. You did a great job.”

R2 chirruped at Luke and pulled his laser pen back into its compartment.

Luke picked up the stone and carried it over to the grave. He positioned it firmly at its head. He stepped back. He had buried the photos and the ribbon with Aalea. He lowered his head for a moment.

Then he heard a sound behind him. Luke turned. The man who had given him the stone was walking towards him. He had a little girl with him. She carried a bouquet of flowers.

The man took off his hat. He gestured toward Aalea’s grave.

“We didn’t know her well. Pretty much kept to herself. But she had a great liking for Khali.” He nodded at the dark-haired girl who gave Luke a gap-toothed smile. Luke smiled back at her.

The little girl handed the flowers to Luke.

“Thank you,” Luke said. He turned and planted them in the freshly dug ground. Then he stood and wiped his hands on his pants. Khali tugged on his sleeve. He looked down at her. She pointed to the headstone.

“What does it say?” she asked.

Luke swallowed as he gazed at the words R2 had carved at his instruction on the stone.

“Here Lies Aalea Ve’Red,” he read, “Jedi Knight, Servant of the Republic and Beloved Wife of General Obi-Wan Kenobi.”

“What does ’be-be-beloved’ mean?” Khali asked him

Luke smiled. “It means greatly loved.”

“Will they be together?”

“I hope so, Khali. If the universe is kind.”

-------------------------------

As Luke’s X-Wing streaked through the stars, he thought about Mara Jade. For some time he’d been considering getting to know her better. As he programmed in the coordinates for home, he decided he would share with her the story Aalea had told him.

The End

Moonscribe
moonscribe56@hotmail.com

--

Epilogue

Aalea slowly closed her eyes and her voice faded away. Luke stirred himself. He looked around and realized hours had passed since Mistress Ve’Red had first began her story. He saw out her window that the sun had gone down.

As Luke looked over at her, for a moment, instead of an old woman with wrinkled skin and thin gray hair, he saw the beautiful young woman with the night black hair and violet eyes who had loved his mentor.

“I never thought...” Luke stammered, ducked his head and blushed.

“Never thought what?” Aalea asked gently.

“I never thought, never imagined that Ben could have....”

“Been a young man filled with passion? I understand, Luke. I suppose it’s the same as trying to imagine your parents as having been young once. Very hard to do.” She smiled softly. “Believe it, dear Luke. Obi-Wan once held the fire of a dying age in his hands.”

Luke nodded. “What happened between you and Ben?”

Aalea sighed. “We tried to make it work but,” and she shook her head, “I lost him. The same way Cian lost Qui-Gon when he found your father. I lost Obi-Wan to the will of the Force. He threw himself body and soul into your father’s training. It consumed him. He was determined to fulfill Qui-Gon’s dying wish. And no matter what others may say, Obi-Wan was the finest master any apprentice could have wanted.”

Aalea sighed and picked up the photos. She smiled softly as she looked at the one taken at the picnic when she and Obi-Wan had been acting out their holovid pantomime. She then looked at the one of them together at Anakin’s wedding.

“Obi-Wan did ask me to come with him to your parent’s wedding ceremony, however.” Aalea smiled. “I remember how handsome your father looked as he stood next to your mother at the nuptial altar. And your mother...she was so very, very beautiful. She made such a fuss over me and Obi-Wan. I think she was worried that because of his responsibilities as Anakin’s master, Obi-Wan had missed out on his own share of happiness. She was so in love with your father she wanted everyone around her to be as happy as she was.”

“I wish I had known her,” Luke said softly. “I have no memory of her at all.”

“Look into your sister’s eyes, Luke. You will see your mother there.”

Luke nodded. “So, you and Ben weren’t together at all?”

Aalea shook her head sadly. “What with his mastership of Anakin and everything that was happening in the Republic; the Neosho Crusades, the Davorian Purges, the Clone Wars, the rise of the Dark Jedi, there was no time for us. During it all I lived with Cian on Valorum’s homeworld and helped her to raise Jarel.”

“Jarel? Qui-Gon’s son?“

Aalea nodded.

“You weren’t at the Temple then?” Luke asked.

“I left the Jedi Order soon after Cian left Coruscant.”

“But why?”

Aalea shook her head. “That is a story for another time, I‘m afraid.”

“When did you last see Ben?”

Aalea stared at Luke for a long time. He waited. Finally, in a soft voice she told him. “It was thirteen years after Qui-Gon’s death...”

----------------

Aalea landed her ship on a deserted island off the coast of the main continent of Sylvonna. She had received permission to enter Sylvonnan space along with a message that after her meeting with Master Kenobi, would she be so kind as to stop by and visit Queen Nadira who was anxious to see her. Aalea had smiled. She looked forward to seeing Nadira, Ishan and their ten children.

As Aalea got out of the ship Valroum had lent her, she saw another ship parked near the entrance to a grotto. She powered down the engines and sat for a moment. She thought about the terse message Obi-Wan had sent her to meet him here. However, as much as Aalea had wanted to go to him, she had also been reluctant to leave Cian and Jarel. Cian had grabbed Aalea‘s hands and squeezed them tightly.

“Go to him, Aalea, or you‘ll regret it all your life.”

Aalea exited her ship and ran toward the grotto‘s entrance. It was dark inside, but along a passageway Aalea saw a soft orange light. She hurried towards it. A chamber within the grotto glowed softly. Tall white candles had been placed along the ledges which circled a high crystalline bed covered with thick soft mantles of blue and green.

“Obi-Wan,” Aalea called. She turned around. The chamber was empty.

“Obi-Wan,” she called again. She tried to sense him through their bond but she felt nothing. Fear moved through her like a mist. Then Aalea heard a sound behind her. She turned sharply, her hand straying to the blaster in her holster.

Obi-Wan stood in the entrance to the chamber. The changes in him made her heart turn over. He was still handsome, the boyishness still visible in his face, but deep lines extended from his blue-gray eyes and there were streaks of white in his hair and in his beard. Her soul ached as she looked at him.

_Oh, dearheart_

Alea walked over to him and slowly lifted her hand to his face. She swept her fingers alongside his hair and his beard. Then, gently, she moved her hands across his lips and, as she did so, Obi-Wan gazed silently down at her, his eyes brimming.

Then, without a word, he took her into his arms and kissed her tenderly. And as they kissed, the shields in his mind collapsed, their souls joined and Aalea felt all his love and all his anguish flowing through her like a swift river. She was drowning in it, but she welcomed it, for her love was in her arms.

They touched each other hesitantly, uncertainly, for they had been apart for some time. However, as their passion flared into a firestorm which threatened to consume them both, they made their way to the bed.

And as the candles burned down to stuttering lumps around them, Obi-Wan and Aalea rediscovered the hidden keys to the lonely kingdoms which lay within their hearts. As the heat of their bodies and the joy in their hearts blazed between them, they made love, again and again, tenderly, gently, fiercely, until both were sure they would die from the sweetness of it.

Later, much later, when the light from the dying candles had softened to a muted glow, Aalea listened to the pounding of Obi-Wan’s heart as they lay, exhausted and fulfilled, within each other’s arms. Obi-Wan’s beard rubbed gently against Aalea’s forehead as he adjusted his arms about her. And, except for the fevered cries of their passion, they had not spoken a single word all night, for what need for words when their souls had been as one.

Obi-Wan kissed Aalea’s forehead. “Aalea. Look up.”

Aalea lifted her gaze to the ceiling above them. She could just make out in the dim light the image of a woman’s face painted on the curved rock.

“Who is that?” she asked softly.

“Sera, the Great Lover. We’re in one of her nuptial chambers.”

Aalea looked up at the face of the beautiful goddess.

“Well, at least it’s not a mirror.”

Obi-Wan laughed and Aalea heart’s soared at the sound of it. From the grief and pain she had sensed was lodged in his soul, she had been afraid he was incapable of ever laughing again.

“Yes, at least there‘s that,” he said chuckling softly.

“Obi-Wan. What did you mean when you said we were in one of her nuptial chambers?”

“Do you remember Badalah?”

Aalea nodded and smiled as she thought fondly of Nadira’s handmatron who, unfortunately, had passed away some years ago.

“During Nadira and Ishan‘s wedding feast,” Obi-Wan went on, “she told me that in ancient times young Sylvonnans who wanted to elope would come to one of these chambers. Once they had made love under the gaze of Sera, the goddess blessed their union and they were joined as one. Husband and wife.”

Aalea continued to gaze up at the goddess’ face.

“It’s not really legal, you know,” she said finally.

Obi-Wan laughed softly. “No, it‘s not, but we shall know in our hearts. My wife.”

“Yes,” Aalea said, as she turned to him and gazed deeply into his eyes. “We shall know. My husband.”

Obi-Wan smiled, then kissed her warmly. And as they kissed, a terrible realization stole across Aalea. She pulled away from him. Obi-Wan looked back at her, his eyes puzzled.

“You’re going to confront him, aren’t you?”

Obi-Wan said nothing for a moment, his eyes suddenly unfathomable in the shadows which danced across his face from the flickering candles.

“Yes,” he finally said.

“Don’t, Obi-Wan. Please. You can’t bring him back.”

“I have to try, Aalea. I was his master for twelve years. That has to mean something.”

Aalea hugged him tightly, her heart bursting with fear.

“Don’t go to him, please,” she begged. “He’ll destroy you. Or you’ll be forced to kill him.”

“Perhaps. But I can’t live with myself if I don’t try. It’s my fault he turned.”

Aalea shook her head angrily, her eyes blazing.

“No, it is not your fault, Obi-Wan! When will you stop blaming yourself for the actions of others! Remember what Master Qui-Gon once said. We each make our own choices and forge our own destinies. Anakin chose his.”

“I was his master. He was my responsibility.”

“And now you’re going to go and get yourself killed because you feel responsible,” Aalea cried.

Obi-Wan gently cupped her face and looked down at her.

“Aalea, you know better. I’m a Jedi Knight. Responsibility is my business,” he said smiling.

Aalea ignored his attempt to lighten the moment.

“No! Please, Obi-Wan, don’t go!” She clung to him, tears and fire in her eyes. “You can’t bring him back. It’s too late. He‘ll destroy you or the creature that turned him will.”

Obi-Wan stroked Aalea’s cheek with his fingers. He smiled sadly at her.

“Listen carefully, love,” he said. “I’ve placed a million credits in an account in your name in the Bank of Alderaan. Compensation from Bail Organa for services rendered during the Clone Wars. I want you to withdraw it and take Cian and Jarel someplace safe.”

“Jarel?” Aalea gasped. “How do you know----?”

Obi-Wan laughed softly. “Oh, love, did you really think you could keep Qui-Gon’s son hidden from me? I’ve known about him since shortly after he was born. But I knew you had swore to Cian you would keep him a secret. I’ve had people watching over him and Cian for years.” Obi-Wan‘s eyes grew haunted. “But I won’t be able to do that any longer. You must take them away, far away.”

Aalea shook her head. “I won‘t leave you.”

“You must, Aalea.”

“Come with us,” she begged. “Why must it be you who confronts him?”

“Because I know what is in his heart. Only I can show him the way back.”

“And if you can’t? What then, dearheart? What then?” Aalea cried.

“That is why I want you to take Cian and Jarel someplace safe. If I fail to bring Anakin back to the light side of the Force, the galaxy will become a very dangerous place. And if I should die, I want to die knowing you are all safe.”

“Stop talking about dying!” Aalea cried. “You can’t die! I won’t let you die.” She broke down and wept.

Obi-Wan held her as the storm of her tears overwhelmed her. He wrapped her in the warmth of his arms and waited until her tears subsided. When she stopped crying, Obi-Wan lifted her chin and looked deeply into her eyes.

“Do you remember our mission here, Aalea?”

“Yes, of course.” Aalea sniffled. “How could I forget? All you did was lecture me about Jedi decorum.”

Obi-Wan chuckled, then his expression stilled, his eyes serious again.

“I was your master then, if only for a short while. You had to obey me in all things. Pretend I’m still your master. Obey me in this.”

“You’re not my master and I’m no longer a Jedi,” Aalea said, her voice thick with tears. “I don’t have to obey you at all.”

Obi-Wan said nothing. He just looked at her and, like all the other times before, as Aalea felt herself falling into his eyes, she knew she would deny him nothing.

Aalea wiped the tears from her face. She gazed up at him.

“Promise me we won’t have to stay hidden long,” she said, her chin quivering. “Bring him back, dearheart. Bring him back.”

Obi-Wan brushed his lips across Aalea’s mouth. Aalea cried out his name and pulled him roughly, almost violently, against her, her lips urgently claiming his. And as the candles burned out about them and the darkness spread around them, Aalea’s tears intermingled with Obi-Wan’s as they made love, tenderly, lovingly, fiercely, one final time.

-----------------

“And that was the last time I ever saw him,” Aalea said to Luke. Her voice broke. “Obi-Wan confronted Anakin. There was a terrible battle. Anakin fell into a lava pit and was thought dead. But, soon after, _he_ appeared. Vader. The Dark Lord of the Sith. And I knew Obi-Wan had failed. I received one final message from him.”

“What did it say?” Luke asked.

“To take Cian and Jarel someplace safe. That he would always love me. And I would never see him again.”

“That must be when he went into hiding on Tatooine.”

“Yes. Understand, Luke, Obi-Wan would have given his life to save the Jedi, but you,” and she gazed tenderly at Luke, “you were our last hope. He had to protect you from your father and the Emperor.”

“I never realized how much he had given up to watch over me,” Luke said softly.

“It was important. For he knew, just as we all did, that the darkness was upon us. The Purge began soon after. Vader, his Dark Knights, and his cursed bounty hunters, hunted down and destroyed the Jedi Knights. And without the Jedi as guardians, the Republic was doomed.”

Aalea sighed deeply and slowly lowered her head. Then she looked up at Luke.

“You were with him, weren’t you? At the end?”

Luke nodded. “Yes, when Vader struck him down...” Pain flared in his eyes.

Aalea leaned over and took his hand. “I know, Luke. I know.”

“Did you sense what happened?” Luke asked. “Through your bond?”

Aalea sat back and folded her hands in her lap.

“I knew he was gone. I didn’t know how or why. But, yes, I felt it and I knew then that I was alone.”

“What happened to Cian and Jarel?” Luke asked.

Aalea clenched her hands and her eyes brimmed with tears

“I did as Obi-Wan instructed,” she said in a choked voice. “I took Cian and Jarel as far away as I could but it wasn’t far enough for the Emperor’s stormtroopers came. They came even to that little dustball of a world I had managed to find.” She shook her head. “They weren’t looking for us. We were only three among the millions trying to escape from the terror and the madness.”

Aalea coughed. Luke reached over and touched her arm.

“I’m all right.” She patted his hand.

Luke nodded, sat back in his chair and waited for her to continue.

“The Imperials were stopping anyone from leaving the planet as they proceeded to occupy it,” Aalea went on. “People were selling their souls for passage off planet, but I managed to get Cian and Jarel onto a starliner. Our plan was to meet up, then make our way out beyond the boundaries of the Empire. I watched as Cian and Jarel boarded the liner. Jarel was helping his mother, trying to shield her from the press of people around them. He was sixteen at the time, dark-haired and blue-eyed, but quite tall for his age. Like his father. And he had Qui-Gon’s quiet strength.”

Aalea’s face softened at the memory.

“Just before they entered the ship, Jarel turned and called out to me, ‘We‘ll wait for you on Sullust, Aunt Aalea.’ And then he smiled. Just a little smile. A gentle, little smile that was so much like Qui-Gon’s....”

Aalea’s voice broke. She touched her fingers to her mouth, pressed them against her lips.

“The starliner took off,” she went on. “I was going to follow them in another ship which was boarding at the other end of the starport. I waited to watch them leave. And that’s when I saw it.”

Aalea took a deep shuddering breath.

“A squadron of Imperial fighters buzzed around the liner like a flock of predatory birds,” she continued. “For a moment, I was sure the liner was going to make it. Then, when the Imperials couldn‘t force the liner down, they fired.”

Aalea stopped and gazed back at Luke with haunted eyes.

“The liner exploded in a fireball so big it blocked out the sun.” Aalea’s eyes shimmered as she stared back at Luke. “And just like that they were gone. They were all gone.”

Aalea dropped her face into her hands and sobbed. Luke quickly took her into his arms, holding her until all her tears were spent.

He held her for a very long time.

--------------------

As Aalea’s tears finally quieted, she pulled away from Luke. He gazed sorrowfully back at her.

“Do you ever regret, Mistress Ve’Red?” he asked.

Aalea looked over at him, her eyes soft. “Regret, young Luke?”

Luke sighed. “Having loved when you have known such pain?”

Aalea lowered her head for a moment. Then she squeezed Luke’s hands and looked back up at him, her violet eyes serene.

“No, I do not regret. Yes, there was pain, but there was also joy, Luke. Such sweet joy! I once read in one of Valorum’s book that love is the most precious gift we can give to one another. That it’s only through love that we learn who we really are.” Aalea reached over and stroked Luke’s hair. “Don’t be afraid to love, Luke. With love there is always pain, but without it there is only the abyss.”

Luke nodded. Then he frowned. “But there’s something I don’t understand, Mistress Ve’Red?”

“What is that?” she asked gently.

“Jarel. Qui-Gon and Cian’s son. From what you’ve told me it almost seems as if the Force meant for him to be born. Destined for something greater than to die so young. Was he strong with the Force?”

“Oh, yes, very strong. He had inherited both his parents’ Force sensitivity and he had Qui-Gon’s strength and Cian’s gentleness.” Aalea took a deep breath. “Yes, if he had lived he would have become a great Jedi Knight.”

“But, why?” Luke shook his head. “I don’t understand? Why did he have to die? Why did she?”

Aalea gazed sadly back at Luke. She reached over and cupped his face, tears shimmering in her eyes.

“Oh, my dear, dear Luke. Why did any of them have to die? That is the eternal question, is it not? And one I’m afraid I can’t answer.”

Aalea sat back and put her hands in her lap. Luke reached over and took her hands in his. He looked down at them. The bones of her fingers were as thin as twigs.

“Mistress Ve’Red, I want you to come back with me. To the new Republic.”

Aalea shook her head. “There’s nothing there for me, Luke. My time has come and gone.”

“Don’t say that. You were once a Jedi. And you knew them all. The great Masters. Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon, Yoda, Windu. You were there before it was all swept away. We need you.” Luke leaned closer and looked deep into her eyes. “I need you. I would like you to help me rebuild the Jedi Order.”

“Luke, I’m honored you would want me. But, I don’t know...” Aalea lowered her head.

“You don’t have to decide tonight. R2 and I will return in the morning.”

Aalea looked up at him. “But, where are you staying? I know there are no hostels in the village.”

“I’ll sleep in my ship. I‘ve done it before.”

“Nonsense.” Aalea stood and limped over to a chest. She opened it and pulled out a somewhat dusty pallet. She turned back to Luke and smiled sheepishly. “I’m afraid it’s probably not what you’re used to.”

Luke walked over to her and took the pallet from her hands.

“Believe me, Mistress Ve’Red, I slept on much worse during the war.”

Aalea nodded and smiled. She glanced over at R2 and once again Luke saw a look of recognition flit across her face, then vanish.

“Will your droid be needing anything?” she asked.

Luke looked over at R2 who trilled at him.

Luke smiled. “I think he’s saying he’s fine, but thanks for asking.”

Aalea smiled back at him.

“Well, good night, young Luke. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Good night, Mistress Ve’Red.”

Aalea turned and walked into her tiny sleeping area. As she closed the door, she looked back and saw Luke carefully laying the pallet on the floor.

Aalea closed the door. A warm feeling stole over her. Talking with Luke had brought back painful memories, yes, but it had also helped her remember that it had not all been pain and sorrow. There had been the joy of companionship, the excitement of adventure and the sweetness of love.

Aalea sat carefully on her bed and took a deep breath. She was so tired. Her life since Cian and Jarel’s deaths had been a hard one; hiding, running, trying to stay one step ahead of the Force Hunters, the assassins sent out by the Emperor and Vader to destroy anyone found to be strong with the Force.

One of the Hunters had found Aalea on Tolak and she barely got away with her life. The battle with him had been fierce and had left Aalea’s face badly burned but she had killed him and had taken great satisfaction in doing so.

Finally, she had fled here, to this bit of dust on the edge of the known galaxy. And here she had lived until she had grown old. Old, forgotten and lonely. Yes, there had been that, the terrible loneliness which she had endured all these years, longing so much for the touch and the sound and the sight of those she had loved so dearly.

Then one day, like the roar of waves from a distant ocean, Aalea heard of the Empire’s defeat and the death of both the Emperor and Vader. And, for a time Aalea had considered going back, but everyone and everything she had known was gone, swept away by a tide of darkness and oppression. It was a new time, meant for the young.

Aalea smiled. Yet, perhaps she would take Luke up on his offer. It would be good to see Coruscant again.

Aalea reached over to the small table next to her bed and picked up a black lacquered box. The edges of the box were chipped and much of its finish had rubbed off. She slowly opened it.

Inside was a long violet ribbon, frayed and faded. Aalea picked it up and pulled it gently through her twisted fingers, her eyes brimming with tears. And for a moment, a moonlit night filled with the scent of roses, orchids and the Attar of Love filled her senses.

“Dearheart,” she whispered. “He’s a good young man. You did fine, my love. You did fine.”

Aalea lay slowly down, the ribbon still clutched in her hand. Her breath moved in and out of her body for a bit as she lay in the darkened room and then, suddenly, a final exhalation; as soft as a sigh, as gentle as a whisper, as absolute as eternity.

--------------

Luke felt the morning sun shining on his face. He rolled over and sat up. Aalea’s bedroom door was still closed. He looked over at R2. The droid was still in shut down mode. Luke stood, then stretched. He then bent down, quickly rolled up the pallet and carried it over to the chest, placing it inside.

Luke looked over at Aalea’s door again. He hated to wake her, but he’d been away from Coruscant for quite some time as he had searched for her. Leia and Han would begin to worry if he didn‘t return soon.

Luke walked over to her door and knocked softly.

“Mistress Ve’Red? I’m sorry for disturbing you, but I’m afraid I’ll have to leave soon. May I come in?”

Luke waited. There was no sound. He knocked again. Then something tickled his awareness. Luke reached out to Aalea with the Force. He felt nothing. He quickly opened the door and walked in.

The tiny room was dim. A sliver of morning light through which swirling dust motes danced fell upon Aalea’s face. Luke walked over slowly. He sat on the edge of the bed. Aalea did not stir.

Luke reached over and touched the side of her neck with his fingers.

“No,” he whispered. Tears welled in his eyes. He leaned over and stroked her thin gray hair.

Then Luke glanced down and saw she was holding a faded violet ribbon. He lifted her hand and kissed it.

“Go to him,” he said softly.

--------------------------
Luke looked up as R2 warbled at him. He put down his shovel, wiped his forehead, then walked over to the droid who was finishing work on a stone slab Luke had gotten from the village.

“That’s good, R2. You did a great job.”

R2 chirruped at Luke and pulled his laser pen back into its compartment.

Luke picked up the stone and carried it over to the grave. He positioned it firmly at its head. He stepped back. He had buried the photos and the ribbon with Aalea. He lowered his head for a moment.

Then he heard a sound behind him. Luke turned. The man who had given him the stone was walking towards him. He had a little girl with him. She carried a bouquet of flowers.

The man took off his hat. He gestured toward Aalea’s grave.

“We didn’t know her well. Pretty much kept to herself. But she had a great liking for Khali.” He nodded at the dark-haired girl who gave Luke a gap-toothed smile. Luke smiled back at her.

The little girl handed the flowers to Luke.

“Thank you,” Luke said. He turned and planted them in the freshly dug ground. Then he stood and wiped his hands on his pants. Khali tugged on his sleeve. He looked down at her. She pointed to the headstone.

“What does it say?” she asked.

Luke swallowed as he gazed at the words R2 had carved at his instruction on the stone.

“Here Lies Aalea Ve’Red,” he read, “Jedi Knight, Servant of the Republic and Beloved Wife of General Obi-Wan Kenobi.”

“What does ’be-be-beloved’ mean?” Khali asked him

Luke smiled. “It means greatly loved.”

“Will they be together?”

“I hope so, Khali. If the universe is kind.”

-------------------------------

As Luke’s X-Wing streaked through the stars, he thought about Mara Jade. For some time he’d been considering getting to know her better. As he programmed in the coordinates for home, he decided he would share with her the story Aalea had told him.

The End

Moonscribe
moonscribe56@hotmail.com

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