Love In A Faraway Galaxy-AnakinxOC

Chapter 36-The City

Cassandra was a bit wary when Obi-Wan showed up at the hospital to pick her up when she was discharged. Irrepressible anger welled up.

He nearly got her killed because he was mooning over Duchess Satine. She didn't feel safe with him and made her opinion known. "I'd like a different bodyguard. I need to feel safe, and I don't with you."

Expression unreadable, Obi-Wan removed the tan coat draped over his arm and held it open. "Due to limited resources, I happen to be the only one available."

What made her angriest is that she received no apology for his mistakes. Cassandra always let things slide but thanks to Anakin she realized she had the right to be angry when someone wronged her.

Was entitled to be furious.

Turning her back to him she slid her arms into the coat's sleeves. "If it weren't for luck and a bit of magic, you'd have to explain to Master Wong why I ended up dead. I don't imagine the Jedi can afford to be at war with sorcerers too."

Cassandra was stretching the truth a bit. She wasn't that important. Master Wong would be pissed but the Sorcerer Supreme's mandate was to protect Earth. He wouldn't leave their planet vulnerable to seek revenge.

Obi-Wan didn't know that though.

Cassandra stiffened as the Jedi moved behind her, adjusting the fabric over her shoulders. He smoothed out the sleeves and buttoned up the coat. "While I'm curious who would triumph, sorcerer or Jedi, its not a prosaic discussion."

"My money's on the sorcerer."

"Of course it is." Fastening the last button, Obi-Wan studied her with fresh eyes as if seeing her for the first time. "I can't deny you are a formidable young woman. However, in this matter you are mistaken. I am not your enemy, regardless of what you think."

Under the coat Cassandra wore a pink gingham dress and white ankle boots with Anakin's medallion tucked securely under the neckline. "I'm not living with you. I'll stay at Anakin's."

Obi-Wan plunked a matching gingham newsboy cap on her head. "We'll discuss this later." He extended his elbow to escort her.

Cassandra brushed by him into the hall. She stalked out of the hospital with her head held high. She was a survivor. There was pride in that.

Cassandra hadn't liked Satine's superior attitude, but she could see the benefit of a neutral system for a galaxy at war. When both sides were ready to come to the negotiation table, they would have a neutral place to meet.

Unfortunately, neither the Republic nor the Separatists were giving up ground. Anakin was out there fighting, putting his life in danger every day.

His disregard for his own safety troubled Cassandra. He wouldn't hesitate to jump on a grenade to protect someone else.

A velvety night sky stretched out over the megalopolis. Lights twinkled from windows and neon signs cast a rainbow glow over the steel skyscrapers. Coruscant could give New York a run for the title 'The City That Never Sleeps.'

On the landing pad, Obi-Wan opened the speeder's passenger door and helped her into the vehicle. Cassandra fastened her seatbelt and tucked her cap under her thigh so it wouldn't blow away during the flight.

During the drive, Cassandra didn't talk. It's hard to carry on a decent conversation in an open-air speeder when she has to shout to be heard over the whine of the engine. Given her companion, she wasn't inclined to make the effort.

Angling the nose of the speeder down, Obi-Wan sped toward the ground. "Mind if we make a detour?"

"Do I have a choice?" She shot back petulantly.