The Bittersweet Mission

Bonus Scene #2: A Walk

This scene would take place in the eighth chapter, Truce, when the "kids" first get back from scouting the pickup location. In that chapter, Korkie asks where Satine is, and Padmé says she took a walk. Obi-Wan was also not seen at this time.

     Obi-Wan walked outside to the gardens behind the place where Satine was staying during her time on the planet. Somewhere inside the building, Anakin, Padmé, and Satine were still keeping an eye on the young trio's progress on their small scouting assignment.

     Briefly, his thoughts remained in the moment--on how he was there and now with his close friends... and admittedly, an even closer friend. It was nice being there though.

     The gardens looked beautiful even in the early evening shadows, and there was a slight breeze. For a minute, he closed his eyes and let these peaceful feelings wash over him. He had needed this break from the constant, literal battles against the Separatists, as well as the hustle and bustle of Coruscant.

     He wasn't sure how long he had been standing there, but when he reopened his eyes, the shadows were a little longer, and the breeze was slightly cooler, though still comfortable.

     The reason he had opened his eyes, however, was due to the fact that he sensed a presence approaching.

     Without turning, his lips shifted to allow a small smile.

     "Something on your mind, Your Highness?"

     Satine pursed her lips slightly, pausing just a few feet away. "You're too alert, even when you aren't paying attention."

     "And how did you know I wasn't paying attention?" he asked, turning a little now to see her.

     She moved forward then so that she could stand beside him. "I've seen you when you are focused, and I've seen you when you aren't. And you definitely weren't trying to focus on anything just now. You looked too happy to be worried about anything."

     "Too happy? I didn't know one could be too happy. Are you implying that I should be less happy?" he questioned humorously, then asked, "Am I happy?"

     She rolled her eyes. "You know what I meant."

     Things became silent between them, except for the chirping of some distant birds.

     "It is nice here, isn't it?" she asked, breathing in the fresh air.

     He glanced over at her.

     "It is. Are you thinking of an early retirement?"

     This earned him a glare. "Hardly. I've got way too much work to do. Being here is just part of the job as a representative."

     His smile spread to become more genuine. "Even when you aren't working, you are working, is that right?"

     "That sounds more accurate. Spending this time here with Korkie and all of you this evening has been my only time to relax."

     "Then I suppose being here did do you some good."

     "Yes, I suppose so," she responded, then paused before saying, "A lot has changed since the first time I was here."

     Obi-Wan's brow rose a little in interest. "What was your past trip for?"

     She sighed, moving to lean against an ornamental stone railing nearby. "Well, the last time I was here, I was meeting an official to discuss their prospect of joining the Council of Neutral Systems. However, the time before that was probably ten standard years ago or more. Feels like a lifetime ago, but it really hasn't been that long in the grand scheme of things. Things weren't so modernized here then, and I was just visiting a friend who happened to be staying at this very house," she said with a gesture to the building behind them. "When I was last here, I found out this place was available, and I decided to rent it so that I can stay here when I need to."

     He listened as she spoke, thinking about her words. "Sounds like you came back at the right time then."

     "Yes," she smiled. "Like I said, a lot changed since that first time I was here."

     He nodded, then frowned slightly. "That makes me realize something. It's been over ten years since Anakin became my padawan."

     At this, she let out a breathy laugh. "Are you upset that you aren't so young anymore?"

    "No," he answered defensively. "I'm still relatively young, and you are too. We are around the same age, you know."

     "Yes, I'm well aware."

     "I was only surprised because it feels like just yesterday that I met Anakin for the first time on Tatooine," he admitted. "He was just a little boy then, but he hasn't changed all that much. He still has a knack for causing trouble, though I'd like to think I've taught him something after all these years."

     "Well, one could argue that you have a knack for causing trouble as well," she said slowly, but when he looked over at her, he knew she was teasing him. "But I know you've taught him well. He's a fine young man, and I'm sure he picked up many qualities from you, given that you've raised him for this long."

     "Well, it's hard to get him to admit that," Obi-Wan replied dryly.

     Satine's eyes twinkled in the soft light. "I'm sure you make a great teacher, and Anakin must know that firsthand."

     She hid her real thoughts though, since she almost said father instead of teacher. She changed her words at the last second when she realized what she had been about to say. She really wasn't sure if he would have reacted differently, but she wasn't sure she wanted to say such things right now, especially when she had enough parenting issues to worry about with Korkie at the moment. 

     No, she most definitely did not want to bring up anything to do with fatherhood anymore this evening. Giving Korkie an answer to his most recent question would be difficult enough.

     Then, suddenly, both Satine and Obi-Wan heard footsteps, and Padmé and Korkie came into view.

     Satine straightened up, and Padmé gave them an apologetic smile.

     "You're back?" Satine asked, looking at the young boy worriedly. "How'd everything go?"

     "Well, it could have gone better," Korkie admitted sheepishly. "We didn't--"

     But he was cut off by the sound of an explosion.