Navy Roses- Qui-Gon Jinn x OC

Chapter 6- Bliss

As the ship took off, Adelaide simply kept her eyes forward. She was in the cockpit with Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon had not yet come up to the front of the ship. Adelaide knew her way around a ship, so she was trying to help Obi-Wan get them put of there. As they exited the atmosphere of Batuu, Aurelia finally allowed her heart to stop racing.

"Senator, are you alright?" Obi-Wan asked, concerned when the woman let out a sigh and practically fell back in her chair. She looks over to him, a sad smile on her face.

"Yes, Obi-Wan. I'm simply hit with realizations of reality. The adrenaline has wore off," she says, looking out at the stars. The pair stay silent for a moment before Obi-Wan speaks.

"I don't think I believe you, Adelaide. I don't think you were alright earlier, and I certainly don't think you're alright now," he says, looking back to make sure that Qui-Gon isn't around. Adelaide looks back as well, before looking back to they young man in front of her.

"You've recognized something, haven't you, Obi-Wan? Something you yourself have experienced," she says, knowing that she isn't going to be able to hide this. Not with the persistence of Obi-Wan. So she tried to change the topic.

"Yes. And she was, and is, amazing. But Qui-Gon says I'm destined for great things, and that I will be a great Jedi. But, we aren't talking about me, we're talking about you," he says, not letting her change the topic.

He begins making the calculations for a jump to lightspeed while Adelaide contemplates what to tell him. And as he enters coordinates into the ships computer, he looks back over at the woman in the co-pilots seat. She leans back in her seat, closing her eyes while she let's out a long sigh.

"I want to allow myself some sort of bliss Obi-Wan, but how can I allow it when I'm on the run from people who want to kill me, I'm a Senator, newly appointed at that, and if I really think about everything I am, the crown princess and heir to the throne. How do I allow myself bliss when all of these people need me?" she asks. The more she spoke, the more frantic and hushed her voice became. And the more Obi-Wan listened, the more he heard the words she was running around.

"I may not be a Senator, or a heir, but I am a human. But I do know of these responsibilities you speak of. And I know that you need to allow yourself something in order to be able to provide comfort and reason and whatever else to all of these people. You cannot lead a group of people to your best ability until you have something happy and blissful in your life, Adelaide."

And it seemed as if these words struck something within the Senator. She looked at the boy who seemed wise beyond his years, and looked to the entrance of the cockpit where Qui-Gon now stood. When their gazes met, Obi-Wan saw something new between them. And as the ship entered hyperspace, he excused himself and allowed the Senator and the Master Jedi to speak amongst themselves.

Qui-Gon stood for a few moments after his Padawan left the cockpit. He hadn't heard the entire conversation, but he had heard his Padawan giving the Senator advice. The twenty-four year-old had learned well. But at this very moment, that was not at all what Qui-Gon was thinking about. He was thinking about the woman in the co-pilots seat, who was seemingly looking at everything except for the man who stood behind her. 

Adelaide didn't dare meet his eyes again. She searched the dashboard to make sure everything was in order, but she already knew it would be. So she acted like she had something to look at. She wanted to believe Obi-Wan, she really did. But he was young when he had fallen for a woman, that much was obvious. He probably didn't understand responsibility at that time. And the girl in his past. Force help her. If she was anything like Adelaide, she would've been so extremely against what she felt. Just like Adelaide now. But Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan did not seem very alike. Not now, at least. 

"Do you wish to speak, or sit in silence, Senator?" Qui-Gon asks. He speaks slowly, as if he's treading lightly. Adelaide supposes that this could be because of the little screaming match right before they were all almost killed. Adelaide doesn't look him in the eyes. But, she responds. 

"Whatever exists between us cannot ever become physical, Qui-Gon. You would break the Code you have sworn your life to and all of my decisions would be called into question," Adelaide says. 

Qui-Gon simply looks at her. She still won't meet his eyes and she has reverted to speaking as a Senator. He wants to know what she truly desires, not what she believes they have to be limited to. But he doesn't believe asking her will bring about anything positive. And he knows that she is correct. He just doesn't want her to be right. 

"Adelaide," Qui-Gon whispers, hope in his eyes, "We can decide our fates."

She finally stops fidgeting and looks at him, a mix of what seems to be fear and desire poking through her facade. With tears threatening to fall from her beautiful, intense, icy blue eyes, she looks at Qui-Gon so intensely that he feels as if she is looking into his soul. 

In this moment, it doesn't seem like the two adults can keep any secrets from each other. They both want something real. Regardless of the real-life consequences, they can provide each other with quiet moments of bliss. 

Adelaide is scared— she doesn't know how she has let it happen or how it happened so suddenly, but she let herself come to care for the Master Jedi. Her mind is telling her to refuse, to let him go, to deny the chance of bliss that comes with their feelings. Her heart, however, is saying to allow herself this one thing. When was the last time she allowed herself something that was purely good? 

Qui-Gon has already begun to allow himself an attachment. The woman invaded his mind and he couldn't force her out. His rationality said that the Council would know. But since when had he listened to everything the Council said? His heart had already allowed it to him. He needed more good in his life. The only good he had now was his Padawan, but even that could sometimes be spoiled. 

"If we allow ourselves this, then we must accept that at any time it can end," Adelaide says, her voice quiet and her eyes the softest Qui-Gon has ever seen them. He cannot help the grin that spreads across his face. He cannot help himself as he kneels in front of Adelaide and takes her hands in his. The joy from Qui-Gon is contagious as a smile and a blush spreads across Adelaide's face. 

The two embrace as the ship jolts, exiting hyperspace. They look at each other, an understanding passing between them, before they look through the glass. They watch as Coruscant comes into view, allowing themselves this one moment before they have to be the Senator and the Master Jedi yet again.