In•hale

Stuck On Tatooine

Chalset's POV

"It's getting kind of hot in here don't you think?" I said, waving a hand rapidly in front of my face. We had been in the ship for around an hour now, and with the ship completely powered down and no air conditioner, the brutal heat of the binary suns of Tatooine were taking their toll on us.

"Understatement." Obi-Wan muttered, shedding his cloak and folding it neatly on a shelf. I don't know why he didn't do it sooner, his hair was damp and spiky with sweat that had decided it also wanted to take a stroll down his face.

I wasn't so simple though. Not only did I take off my robe, but my outer tunic, and also my inner tunic. I was left with my camisole, and of course my pants. I could tell Obi-Wan was looking at me while I did it, so I went ahead and spoke the words that I figured were coming.

"Yes, I know. I'm so uncivilized."

"I wasn't going to say that," he said defensively.

"Yeah and Palpatine's my dad."

Obi-Wan cracked up. "Because you two look so alike." he said sarcastically.

"Shut up." I huffed, walking over to him and plopping myself into his lap. He instinctively began braiding my hair into an intricate style.

We used to do this a lot when we were younger. I'd be upset or mad about something and find Obi-Wan to talk to. I'd sit myself into his lap and he'd start saying soothing things to me while braiding my hair to calm me down. Of course, it happened less and less frequently, and we hadn't done it in years, but I guess it was still instilled into him.

"I'm not mad Obi-Wan." I said softly to the man behind me as he continued to braid my hair.

"I know." was all he said before we fell into a comfortable silence.

I felt something almost spark inside of me as I laid back into his chest and inhaled this scent that seemed to always surround him. His scent. Like sweet pine trees if that makes any sort of sense. I took a few deep breaths and all of the scattered emotions I had been feeling since Nute Gunray had tried to blow me up had been released into the Force, and was replaced by a sense of calm.

Obi-Wan must have felt the shift in my emotions, because he quit braiding then. Instead, he wrapped his arms around my torso and placed his chin on top of my head, slowly rocking back and forth.

His arms, his calming scent, his slow movements. It was all becoming so intoxicating. His heart. I could feel his heart beating erratically from my back. His arms tightened ever so slightly around my torso, his breath tickling my forehead.

I placed my hands over his and relaxed deeper into his chest. My thoughts, they were betraying me.

This isn't the Jedi way Chal, stop this now before you get carried away...No. I want this. I want Obi-Wan, I need him...Attachments are not the Jedi way...Kriff the Jedi way...But it is your life...I can always change my life...No! You cannot! This is the way. The correct path. You must follow it--

"Am I interrupting something?" a voice asked, violently jarring me out of my thoughts.

Captain Panaka, the Queen's main guard, was standing at the doorway of the room that we were in with an unapproving look plastered on his face.

I tore myself out of Obi-Wan's lap while he quickly stood up. His face had turned a shade of red for the second time that day. "No sir." I said sheepishly, speaking for both of us.

"Good, because we might have a problem on our hands, and I need fully focused people if we want to solve it."

Obi-Wan used his sleeve to wipe off a mop of sweat from his forehead before answering, "What seems to be the problem Captain?"

Captain Panaka wasted no time explaining. "If you've noticed, the sand seems to have picked up quite a bit since we landed. With a bit of research, I've come to the conclusion that a sand storm could be in our midst. The sandstorms on Tatooine are known to be quite violent, and if caught unsheltered, death is the most abundant consequence."

Why would that be a problem? I wondered. We are certainly sheltered against the sand. I didn't let my confusion display on my face though.

"Why would that be a problem, Captain?" Obi-Wan asked, taking my thoughts right out of my head and into his mouth.

"Well," Panaka said, collapsing his hands behind his back. "If we are to send or recieve any messages from Naboo regarding our people, this storm will certainly interfere--"

"No." Obi-Wan interrupted. "I have specific instructions from Qui-Gon not to send any messages to Naboo."

An irritated look crossed Panaka's face. "We have already received a message from Naboo regarding the state of our people. It wasn't quite clear, but our contact had told us that the death toll is catastrophic and that they were being forced to bow to the Trade Federation's wishes. We must contact them."

I stepped in at that point, the situation now clear. "It's obviously a trap. If we send a transmission back to them, it will compromise our position and lead the Trade Federation right to the Queen so they can force her to sign the treaty that will make their invasion army legal."

Captain Panaka sighed. "Your point is well said, but our people are dying. We'll need to reach and help them some way or another."

"We'll think of something." Obi-Wan reassured him.

Panaka looked highly uncertain, but he nodded his head and left the room anyway.

I looked over at ObiWan who was currently plopping himself down into the chair we were in earlier. A wave of tiredness washed over his handsome features. "I need a drink. "said his voice in my head.

I rolled my eyes and leaned against the wall. "What is it with you and strong beverages?"

"I never said it had to be strong. I could just want some water."

"Lie to me one more time Obi-Wan Kenobi."

His face morphed into a look of defeat.

"Now," I sent to him again. "What's with you and strong drinks?"

"....They're refreshing."

"Addict."

Obi-Wan jumped from his chair and stalked over to me, and I quickly backed myself down the wall. When I finally got cornered, he grabbed my shoulder and shook them. "I am not an addict, so say it." he said forcefully.

"You're not an addict." I droned.

We stood there just staring at each other before we both busted out laughing at the same time. I smiled once we were done, noticing almost immediately that he still hadn't removed his hand from my shoulders. I looked up, my brown eyes meeting his soft grey-blue ones that seemed to be pulling me to him.

Our faces came closer, and closer until we seemed to be practically breathing the same air.

I'm somewhat relieved that what happened next, occurred. The strong winds from outside cause the ship to shudder a bit, throwing us both off focus.

I wasn't sure if it was a kiss that was bound to happen, but I quickly wrapped my arms around his neck in a hug which he returned.