The Knight and The Duchess (Star Wars AU) (On Hold)

22.Liars

*Aayla's P.O.V.*

If I had to tell them one thing I knew for sure after that investigation, I probably wouldn't say anything. I'd want to spare them any pain that hadn't already been inflicted upon them. Clove most certainly was not crazy. She was just as sane as the rest of us. She merely didn't care who died and who buried their pride. But that wasn't what Obi-Wan and Satine wanted to hear. They hoped to keep their faith in their friend and remain in a naïve state of bliss. Unfortunately, that's not how things happen. That's not how it's supposed to be.

I entered through the archway, my Padawan right behind me, and called out, "Duchess? Kenobi? Are you there?" My voice echoed through the throne, gaining no reply. "Hello?" I shouted.

"Aayla! Is that you?" A voice replied. Satine's shoes clattered down a staircase and she stumbled into the hall. She dashed over to the archway and slid to a stop. She bent over, panting.

"Last time I checked, yes, it's me," I replied.

Still exasperated, Satine asked, "So, what did find?"

I took a deep breath and began, "Clove was not affiliated with Deathwatch. She purchased the armor off the black market and according to her co-worker, she hadn't shown anything against you or Kenobi before the attack."

Satine managed a weak smile. She placed a hand on my shoulder, "I'm glad to hear that. Thank you so much for your help. A weight has been lifted from our shoulders. I'm sure everyone would like to keep it that way. This whole ordeal has taken its toll on Mandalore. I'm just grateful that it's over."

I tried to smile, but I felt sick to my stomach. "I'm sure my Padawan and I should be going now. The council has another mission for us," I attempted to change the subject, "A border dispute on Antion, I believe." I waved goodbye, leaving the Duchess behind in the archway.

*Satine's P.O.V.*
The small freighter lifted off from the hangar and left me in its dust. Figurative dust, of course. I waited for a few seconds in silence, expecting Obi-Wan to come from behind and put his arm around my shoulder. He didn't come. I sighed and walked towards the rear of the palace. Obi-Wan must be where he had been for the last few days, sitting beside the grave of Aure Sinder; A Friend of the Crown. He was taking it a whole lot harder than the rest of us, but that was just Obi-Wan.

I pushed the door open a small bit, peeking through the gap. As I expected, Obi-Wan was seated beside Clove's headstone. When I was finally next to him, I whispered, "Are you alright?"

"No," he replied, refusing eye contact.

"Is there anything I can do to help you?"

"Just... stay here. That would be nice."

*Obi-Wan's P.O.V.*

Out of the blue, Satine started sniffling and wiping her eyes. As the tears ran down her face, she laughed and shook her head. I turned, confused, and I asked, "Satine?"

"Oh, sorry," she smiled, "I must be getting hormonal already!"

"Is that a normal... women thing?"

"No, of course not. I'm just pregnant."

"Oh, that makes sense.... wait, what?" Satine giggled as I stared in shock. "You're not kidding?"

"Nope."

"Um.... Are you sure this isn't a dream?"

"Would that be good or bad?"

"A little bit of both."