Dreams

Chapter 7.

Obi-Wan's POV

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Anakin ....

It was warm ... too warm. Sounds surrounded me. Roaring filled my ears. Where was I? What was happ—

Beep, beep, beep!

I sighed groggily, then rolled over, feeling around on the bedside table until my fingers found the little beeping alarm clock. I pushed the "off" button, then lay staring at the ceiling for a few moments. I had set the alarm for 500 hours, standard time, and the lethargic part of me was putting in its protests. My better judgment was slowly being engulfed by tiredness, and my eyelids slid closed.

My eyes snapped open just as quickly, and I checked the time. I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw only two minutes had passed and threw back the covers before the desire to sleep returned. I dressed hastily, ran my fingers through my gingery hair, then emerged from my room and went to grab some breakfast. Yesterday had passed slowly but with little disturbance, and I had found great delight in spending most of the day with Satine. Though she had been busy for the most part, she had turned to me for advice or feedback from time to time.

"Had you said the word ...."

I almost dropped the cup of tea I had freshly made. But that was the past. It couldn't be. She had her duties, and I had mine. And yet .... I wondered if she still felt the same way.

I sat at one of the tables just off the palace's enormous kitchen and ate my toast thoughtfully. This room was small and out of the way, but it had a nice feel to it, with windows that overlooked the sleeping city. Darkness still cloaked the land, broken only by a handful of lights from the early risers; it would be a good couple of hours before the planet started to wake up properly.

Gazing across the town, my mind wandered back to my home planet, Coruscant. What was Anakin doing? How was he doing? I hoped he had understood that I had to leave, but I still felt pangs of guilt. Something was bothering him; I could see that. But he was older now, and he wasn't my padawan anymore. Technically speaking, his problems weren't my responsibility, but I always wanted to help him if I could. I especially wanted to be there for him since Ahsoka had left only a few months ago. That had hit him hard.

"Good morning, Obi-Wan," the polite voice of Satine broke into my thoughts.

I looked up and smiled, my trained eye catching the lines of weariness and concern etched into her face. She still maintained her composure, the straight, gold trimming on her deep orange gown adding to her ordered and seemingly-spotless manner.

"Good morning, Satine," I greeted her warmly, taking a moment as I was captivated by those pale blue eyes. "How are you, my dear?"

She let her fingers trail across my hand as she swished into the seat opposite me, placing her dish of food in front of her. "I'm doing fairly well, thank you. And yourself?"

"Good, thanks." Then I commented, "You seem to be up early."

She nodded. "Yes, I am."

We fell into awkward silence, picking at our food or sipping from our cups as quietly as we could. I felt like I should say something, and she opened her mouth to speak, but both of us refrained from saying anything. A couple of painful minutes dragged by before I finally managed, "What are the plans for the day?"

She quickly swallowed the bite she had just taken. "I've arranged for a personal meeting with Pre Vizsla, which will hopefully take place today." When I cocked an eyebrow, she continued tiredly. "This has happened before. I try to talk with him face to face, but he often has some reason for it not to go ahead, or perhaps something comes up unexpectedly and we have to postpone."

"I see," I said understandingly. "It's frustrating when things don't go to plan."

She sighed. "It is, but hopefully that won't be the case today. Whatever happens, though, I would like you to stay close to me, unless I specifically ask otherwise. Can you do that?"

I had to chew on my smile. "Yes, mi'lady, I'll do my best."

She smiled slightly. "Thanks, Obi." Then she stood and swept out of the room.

I watched her go for a few moments, then turned back to my plate. Having finished my breakfast, I straightened up, casting a final glance out the window. A sliver of golden light sliced the horizon, heralding the coming sunrise, and the town was slowly waking up. I remained still, my gaze captivated by the peaceful city below me. Satine had done a good job in staying neutral, despite the demands and pressures from others, and her people were thriving. However, with the threat of Pre Vizsla, her neutrality was looking unstable. I hoped I could help return the stability for her.

As I turned from the window, a familiar pull tugged at my heart, and I paused. The Force was swirling around me like a mini flurry of snowflakes, whispering of far-off danger. It wasn't on Mandalore ... no, it was too distant for that. It seemed to be coming from ... Coruscant? But I was in the Outer Rim! How could I sense danger from so far out?

I stayed perfectly still, trying to gage what the trouble was. The only movement in my body was the rapid beat of my heart and the silent but hastened breathing in my chest. For a reason I couldn't explain, I wondered if history was about to repeat itself. Something was about to happen – or was happening at this very moment – and it wasn't good. One name kept repeating in my mind, and I couldn't shake it. But the more it played, the worse the feeling of dread in my stomach grew: Anakin.

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That sounds ominous! What's going on? Have you all guessed what's happening? ;)

Wasn't it nice to have a bit of Obitine sweetness? They're such a cute couple, and I love them both. ^^

Thanks for reading, everybody! Once again, it's much appreciated!!