Dreams

Chapter 29.

Obi-Wan's POV

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I sat, oblivious to the rest of the world, my whole attention absorbed by the lady in front of me. Her condition was still unstable, her breathing irregular, her heartbeat fluttering. But she was stabilizing.

Time seemed to drag its heels through mud, groaning and complaining as each second rolled past. I gave Satine's hand a gentle squeeze, brushing her blonde hair from her pale face. She was only sleeping, but she was still beautiful. Her determination and her heart had always inspired me, nearly from the first time I had met her, when I was a padawan. If there was something that needed doing, she would be the one to do it. Whether that was keeping an entire planet neutral in the midst of a raging war, or simply getting out of bed every morning to protect said planet, she would do it.

I trailed my fingers along hers, the softness of her hands a welcome salve to the rough, battle-hardened surface of mine. But she wasn't simply an overachiever. The way in which she completed her dreams was almost always with such care and consideration for others. Of course, she had her bad days, but didn't we all?

My mind raced back through the years, and time compressed, making over fifteen years become nothing more than a small bridge – a bridge between the past and the present. I gladly stepped across the threshold, allowing myself to be swept away, back to the first moment I had met Satine.

"Mi'lady," Qui-Gon, his voice ever soft and polite, greeted with a low bow the young lady who stood in front of her palace. "We are here to offer you our protection. My name is Qui-Gon Jinn, and this is my padawan learner, Obi-Wan Kenobi."

Having been standing respectfully behind my master, I now stepped forwards, intending to introduce myself to the ruler. But my breath was stolen, my words lost, as I set eyes on her for the first time. 

A halo of golden beauty seemed to surround her, the pale blonde of her hair reflecting the morning sun's rays. A slim purple dress fitted her slender figure, its minuscule sequins glittering like the silver moonlight on the ripples of a stream. But it was those eyes, those sincere yet fierce blue eyes that caught and held my attention.

As I bowed, I kept her gaze the whole time, unwilling to remove mine from hers. "How do you do, mi'lady?"

She set her jaw in determination, flicking her head slightly and catching the sunlight on the ring of golden jewellery wrapped around her forehead. "I am well, thank you."

My lips quirked in a smirk. "You seem ... uneasy, mi'lady. Is there something I can do to help?"

She eyed me suspiciously, her hand placed stubbornly on her hip. Seeming marginally satisfied with me, her shoulders slumped and her hand slid off its ledge. "I'm worried about Mandalore. It pains me to know that such unrest abounds on the planet. I worry for my people."

Her answer intrigued me, and I cocked my head slightly, watching her curiously as I commented, "I see you care about them."

She nodded, her jaw once again set firmly. "I do. And I strongly dislike running from trouble when this unrest hangs in the air. I feel my place is with my people."

"I understand, mi'lady," Qui-Gon stepped in, his tone calm and reassuring, "but you are in danger. If you stay and are injured or killed, that will be terrible for Mandalore. Your people want you alive."

She sighed, her defences slipping once more. "I know. That doesn't stop me from caring."

"And I would never wish it to," Qui-Gon responded. "If what you do is right, then never let your circumstances shake your compassion or your resolve."

My old master's words floated around my head. "Never let your circumstances shake your compassion ... or your resolve." My resolve ... what was it? Had I truly decided on the path for my life? The choice had always been mine. Faced with the situation I found myself in, I could feel my whole world shifting and changing. I could almost see it being moulded and pressed, being shaped into something else. Somehow, I retained my old self, but it was just expressing itself in a different way.

As I looked into the face of my love and my lover, I knew my mind was made up. "Never let your circumstances shake your compassion and your resolve." I had nearly lost Satine; I wasn't even sure that I wouldn't lose her still. But I wanted her to know that I would be there for her ... no matter what.

 A vibration on my wrist shook me out of my thoughts, and I tapped my commlink distractedly. "Hello, this is General Kenobi," I responded absently, my eye resting on Satine.

"Kenobi," it was Mace Windu, "are you coming back to the Jedi Temple? When can we expect you?"

I took a deep breath, holding Satine's hand tightly. This was going to be hard. "I won't be coming back, Master."

There was a brief pause. "I'm not sure I understand."

"I mean," I repeated as steadily as I could, "I'm not coming back. I'm leaving the Jedi Order."

The pause this time was so long, it was painful. I wasn't even sure that he had heard me. I could hear my heart pounding in my chest, hear the raspy breathing of Satine, and hear the faintest crackle from the comm as it waited for sounds to transmit. Every noise seemed magnified a thousand times as I listened and waited for Mace's answer. Finally, he spoke.

"You're ... leaving the Jedi Order," he said blandly. "But ... why?"

I smiled slightly at Satine, even though she was still sleeping, and gave her fingers a gentle kiss. "I'm pursuing my other dream."

Again, silence filtered through the comm. The softest of sighs escaped through the speakers. Then Mace spoke again, his voice serious but very nearly tainted with the whisper of sadness. "It's been an honour and a pleasure, Kenobi. I hope your life is successful and filled with joy. Know that you are always welcome back."

"Thank you, Master," I said humbly. "I appreciate your compliments." I paused to take another deep breath. "This is General Kenobi ... over and out."

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Obi-Wan just did whaaaat?!?! O.O He left the Order?! He actually left it! He left it to be with Satine. *heart melts* You are such a sweetheart, Obi!

But, but what happens next? What about Anakin? Is it good that he's left? Let's certainly hope so! :}

I'd love to hear what yous all thought of this! Were you surprised? Did you see it coming? Of course, there's no pressure at all! ;) Thanks so much for reading!! ^o^