Title: In the Garden (Chapter 2/2)
Author: obi's girl
E-mail: aidensule17@yahoo.com
Summary: A sequel to Burning for You. Obi-Wan and Padme face the consequences of their love for each other - dealing with Anakin's wrath!
Spoiler: Oh Yes. Episode 2 or 3, depending on what you think!
Rating: PG-13 Romance
Disclaimer: The characters of Obi-Wan Kenobi, Senator Pàdme Amidala Nebarrie, Anakin Skywalker and Palpitine (the s.o.b) don't belong to me but the almighty - George Lucas.

(Chapter 2)

He nodded sickly, "I saw Anakin,"

Pàdme quickly frowned, her face turning as white as his. She couldn't find the words to ask how he was or what was said between them.

Obi-Wan continued, "I may have already lost, Anakin. I don't know. But I do know I cannot further his anger." He paused, bracing her hand tightly, "I'm sorry, my love. I can't risk losing him..."

Tears were already forming down her cheeks, tears Obi-wan wanted to disappear but it was too late to take back what was done and said. "What about losing me? Don't I matter to you?"

He nodded, "You mean more to me than my own life. I will always love you, but I love him as a son...."

She pushed him away, feeling the tone in his voice. He was sincere but sad as she was. "I love you, Obi-Wan Kenobi. More than I could ever love Anakin. My hearts knows that."

The Jedi Master could feel tears streaming down his face as he listened to her voice. "I will always love you. Nothing can change that,"

Pàdme turned to him, whispering "He can."

"I don't wish to hurt Annie. But being hurt by you is even more worse," she continued, "I thought I saw my future with you. Our fates have always been entangled together, Obi-Wan. I have no doubt of that, but how exactly are they entangled together?"

He shrugged, "I can't answer that, but I know the memory of you will always remain with me,"

She laughed, "You talk as if I'm already dead to you," Pàdme paused, "Is that how our futures are to be? I die loving the wrong man, die of a broken heart?"

Again he shrugged, staring into her brown eyes. "I don't know." As he began to turn away, Pàdme held firmly on his sleeve. He turned back, feeling the dread of letting go. He saw the fear and sadness in her eyes, sadness he didn't want her to have - not because of him. He raised his hand, caressing her face. Tears fell onto his hand, tears he wished he could make disappear. "Our lives are not our own, my sweet handmaiden."

Pàdme laughed, pushing back the tears. She pulled him closer, feeling his lips on her one last time. They both felt the pain in that moment. It was final. What were to happen afterward, were not their choice but the will of the Force. She nodded, "If it hadn't been Anakin I met in Watto's shop, my heart wouldn't be aching like this,"

Obi-Wan held her tighter, "Maybe but fate is a tangle. It wouldn't have mattered. You two would have met some other way, if not there."

"I wish it was you."

Obi-Wan couldn't reply except hold her.

Anakin Skywalker stood before the Jedi Council. He knew his Master had to suffer. There was no question about that, but there was also another soul on his mind - Pàdme. She didn't deserve to be scarred by him. Yes. Regardless of what she did, he still loved her. He still saw her as his Angel. Mace nodded, unable to understand the boys' report.

"It is the truth, Masters. I saw them together. Obi-Wan must be punished."

Yoda nodded, "Love Padme you do. Clouding your judgment it is,"

He shook his hand, "Master Yoda, I never trusted anybody in my slave. I grew up as a slave and now a Jedi, whose heart has been ripped out from his chest." Anakin paused, "Obi-Wan needs to be punished."

"Do you realize you're betraying your Master, by coming to us about this?" Mace asked.

"He betrayed me by going behind my back and taking the one thing I loved. I'm not a traitor. He is." Anakin growled.

Depa nodded, "Anakin..."

"No. If you won't do anything to help me, then it's obvious you're on my side because I'm only a boy." He shrugged, "What would I know about love? Probably nothing, but I know this isn't supposed to happen. Obi-Wan isn't supposed to be the hero."

Ki-Adi-Mundi spoke, "Have you seen the future, Anakin? How do you know this?"

"I know because I felt it the day I met her. I knew my fate was with hers." Anakin paused, "So, you won't punish him?"

Mace nodded no, "We will talk to your Master and Senator Nebarrie if need be. But I strongly advise you not to act rationally about this."

Anakin laughed, "You're taking his side over mine, because he's a Master?" he paused, grinding his teeth, "That's unfair if you ask me,"

"We're not on anyone's side, Anakin." Adi added hoping to soothe the boy.

He shrugged and bowed, leaving the chamber...

Obi-Wan felt a strange surge in the Force as he walked towards the Council Chambers. Pàdme was beside him. Her tears had fallen, she knew how she felt but it scared her. Once he confronted the doors to the Chamber, he turned to her taking her hands. "You should stay out there. The Council called to talk to me...if they need you..."

She placed her fingers on his lips, "I know."

He smiled, kissing the tips of her fingers before turning to face his destiny...

The Jedi wasn't really sure why his Masters' called him or did he? Moments ago he talked with his love in the Temple Gardens and also moments ago, his fight with Anakin. He could only hope they called him to lecture him about Anakin and not his dying love for Pàdme. Mace leaned forward.

"Masters."

"Obi-Wan, we talked to Anakin. He told us about your relationship with Senator Pàdme Amidala Nebarrie." Mace began. "We're not going to lecture you. You don't need that right now, but I do ask if what he said was true,"

He nodded, "Yes. It is,"

Mace dropped back onto the cushion behind his chair. He nodded to Yoda. The green Master's ears' sudennly turned up as he spoke.

"How feel you about her?"

Obi-Wan smiled, remembering the different images of her face. He would say, "I love her" but it was too plain and he thought it didn't show enough feeling. "The way I feel about her I can't describe, but I know, I feel, it's strong. Masters, I don't regret how I feel about her. She makes me whole."


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