Realized Dream
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Aura
sighed, rubbing her forehead as she tried to focus on her show, instead of the
Holonews blaring from the Senate news channel on the video screen in front of her.
She already had a headache from a long day of trying to find interesting
stories about a war that only got more bloody and more
confusing by the hour.
Not
the mention the constant state of worry she lived in, knowing Obi-Wan was right
in the middle of it all.
Obi-Wan.
The
thought of him brought a small smile to her face and sent a tingle through her
body as she remembered the incredible night they'd spent together
before
he'd left on this latest mission.
They
might have only known each other for a little more than two weeks, and it might
have only been in their minds, but it was as binding as if they had physically
consummated their relationship.
But
since that night, since their parting, he had always been with her, in thought
and mind if not in body.
But
she had not heard from him since then, not that she'd expected to.
It
was too dangerous to send holovids with spies and traitors lurking in every
corner. She was even growing suspicious of several of her co-workers, and
beginning to wonder just where her manager's loyalty lay.
She
had never mentioned a word to them about her relationship with General Obi-Wan Kenobi, accept to say he had been an interesting interview
subject.
Only
her photographer Doug had a suspicion of what had transpired during those three
days, and she knew he would remain quiet.
She
was amazed she'd managed to mostly hide the 'after great sex' glow she'd worn
the week after the interview, knowing her fellow employees chalked it up to
scoring a major interview with one of the most sought after figures in the
galaxy.
However,
knowing what she did about his past and present, that could be a good thing or
a very, very bad one.
She
felt her eyes go unfocused as she remembered the way his eyes lit up when he
smiled, the way his voice would deepen as he whispered against her ear.
The
feel of his lips crushing hers, while his phantom touches still lingered in her
mind.
She
missed him.
Missed him with a soul deep ache that surprised her.
They
had not physically consummated their relationship because of their situation at
the time. He was her interview subject, she was a journalist.
They'd
managed to respect that relationship, only getting to know each other
intimately through a melding of minds.
But
his promise rang in her ears.
The
next time they met, away from all pressure of their respective jobs and
positions, they would see this through to the conclusion they both desired.
It
was something she was aching for more and more each day with a desire that only
grew.
In those
short three days, she'd done the most impossible thing she ever could have.
She'd
fallen in love with him.
And he with her.
But
the dangers that relationship could bring loomed over both their heads.
Which was another reason she'd kept quiet about what had transpired
during their interview.
He
had told her the secrets of his past, the demons that haunted him, and the evil
that lurked ahead for him and all those he loved.
But
she was willing to risk that, to risk her life, if it meant being with him.
However,
she would take no chances at the present. Any misspoken word or action could be
taken the wrong way, attract the wrong attention, and bring disaster to them
both.
It
was an added stress she did not need with her current job, but would gladly
accept if it meant getting to spend another night in his arms.
Not
just in his mind.
"Aura,
where are you?"
She
jolted back to the present at Dalia's words, sighing and smiling sheepishly at
her co-worker.
"Sorry,
just lost in thought for a moment, trying to figure out what to report
tonight," she muttered as her friend nodded.
"Here's
something for you. It's heating up in the outer galaxy. Senate-Net just
reported a small battle cruiser came under heavy fire, massive
casualties
reported, but no word on which side," she replied, turning to answer a
call, missing Aura's stunned expression.
Aura
forced her trembling hands to remain on her keyboard as she quickly turned her
attention to one of the video monitors above her, focusing on the sound.
She
held her breath as she watched the images blurring before her eyes.
It
couldn't be his ship.
Please,
the gods above, it could not be him!
"Damn,
Aura, you'd better turn this up."
She
felt her heart sink as Doug's terse voice materialized in her ear. Taking a
deep breath, she hit the volume as the anchors began to speak.
"The
latest information we have is that the battle cruiser the great General Kenobi
was commanding came under heavy fire three days ago. We are just getting word
of the attack now. No word on if the illustrious and respected General was
among the casualties, although he is thought to be missing in action. Details
are still sketchy of exactly what happened. More information as it becomes
available."
Aura
closed her eyes a moment, feeling Doug's hand squeeze her shoulder.
"He's
alive. I know it, you'd know it if he wasn't," he whispered for her
ears
alone.
Turning
to him, she forced a slight smile.
"I
know, I only hope our faith in him and my inner Force sense is enough,"
she whispered, squeezing his hand in thanks as he turned and headed for the
back of the room.
"Looks
like your General might be in a spot of trouble. Maybe he'll contact you with a
one-on-one exclusive interview from the ravages of battle,"
Chandel
snipped, a snide smile on her face.
Aura
clenched her hands at the reporter's harsh words. It was no secret Chandel had
declared her an enemy the instant she learned the General had not requested her
for the interview. She'd spent the past few months making snide remarks,
teasing Aura beyond measure.
To
her surprise, Aura found it much easier to ignore the remarks, keeping the
events of those three days to herself.
Still,
it rankled, now especially.
"First
off, he's not 'my' General, and second, if he's in the middle of fighting, the
last thing he'll be thinking about is an interview Chandel, you
should
know that," she shot back, turning her attention back to the holovid.
She
ignored Chandel's huff as the other woman turned and flounced out of the room.
Rubbing
her forehead, she sighed, again trying to concentrate on putting her show
together, while her mind was off in that remote corner of the galaxy, praying
the dark forces had not gotten to him yet.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Two
days later Aura was a certifiable wreck, at least in her mind. Outwardly, she
had managed to keep up a good appearance, but alone at night was a different
story.
She
hadn't slept in the past 48 hours, alternating between watching the news for
any information and worrying about him, wondering if they would ever get to
find that future together.
So
far, no word had been heard on the whereabouts of General Kenobi. He was
presumed missing in action, but not yet declared dead.
She
refused to listen, knowing deep inside that he was not dead, knowing she would
have sensed it if he was through their unique mind bond.
The
stress was taking its toll however.
Not
to mention the tensions were growing at work, as sides began to form and
alliances sprung up, as everyone tried to ally themselves with the side they
thought would win.
Many
of her friends and co-workers were choosing to go with the new regime, instead
of against it. She found herself more and more the recipient of probing
questions about her loyalties and her contact, non-existent though it was, with
General Kenobi.
She
knew he was falling out of favor with many, and those turning against the
Republic were anxious for anything they could use to bring him down.
While
it frightened her, she was always conscious of her behavior and tried not to
let her fear for him show. As far as everyone was concerned, she'd interviewed
him and that was that.
But
she had to admit, she was looking over her shoulder more, sure at times she was
being watched. She'd begun alternating the route she took home and had taken to
carrying a small stun blaster in her purse.
Obi-Wan's
words of warning haunted her brain, warning her to be careful of whom she
talked to and what she said.
She
knew he worried what would happen if Darth Vader found her by some strange
Force, but so far, she wasn't extremely worried.
Still,
she found herself always watching her words, her actions and everything she did
around work. Paranoia had become a force of its own in her
mind.
She
wondered only how long it would be until her station became nothing but a
mouthpiece for those determined to destroy the Jedi and the Republic.
When
that happened, she knew one thing for sure.She would not be with them.
She
wasn't sure how she would manage it without calling undue attention to herself,
but she vowed she would never work for the people that had killed Obi-Wan's
family and friends. Dark forces whom she could never respect of follow in her
life.
If
only Obi-Wan were here, he would certainly know what to say to help her make a
choice, to figure out a future.
Preferably together.
Sighing,
pushing her worries down, she walked up the stairs to her apartment, searching
in her bag for the key card to unlock the front door. Smiling in relief, she
opened the door and stepped into the room, fingers searching for the light pad.
She
stopped mid-stretch.
Someone
was in her apartment.
The
hairs on the back of her neck stood at attention as a bolt of fear struck her
heart.
She
lived alone, it was late at night and her neighbor was hard of hearing.
Dear
Gods, what had she walked into?
"I
can assure you my dear, hurting you is the last thing on my mind."
She
closed her eyes at the familiar voice, almost unable to believe she wasn't
dreaming. It had happened far too often in the past few months.
"I'm
not a dream, this time, I'm complete reality. And completely yours, if you
still want me," he whispered, his voice flowing sensually through the
darkened
room.
"Obi?"
she whispered, still not believing he was here.
"You
were expecting someone else?" he asked in an amused voice.
Tears
flooded her eyes as she dropped her bag and raced across the room,
instinctively heading towards his voice.
She
couldn't help her muffled sob as his strong arms wrapped tightly around her and
she buried her head in his chest.
"You're
here, you're alive," she kept muttering, clutching him tightly, almost
hysterical with relief.
His
soft laughter and the soothing motions of his hands slowly calmed her enough so
that she could pull back and stare into his beautiful bluish-green
eyes.
"I
told you I'd return. Despite the risk, I couldn't stay away," he whispered
hoarsely, his hands cupping her cheeks, his thumbs stroking over her soft
skin.
Aura
looked into his eyes, seeing the emotions reflected there equaled her own.
With
a soft whimper, she leaned up as he bent down and their lips collided.
The
kiss was heated, fast and desperate. It had been far too long since they had
felt the sensation of the other's lips, the touch of hands and fingers,
the
whispers and moans of need and desire.
She
was lost in the sensations swamping her body, a paralyzing pleasure she had
never felt before and knew she never would again outside his arms.
Pushing
closer, pressed her body against his, moaning as she felt his desire, strong
and hard, pressed against her thigh.
"Obi-Wan,"
she managed to gasp as she felt his hands molding her breasts, teasing her
unbearably hard nipples to even tighter peaks through the thin
material
of her sweater. She arched against him, urging him to continue, needing to feel
him against her, inside her, around her with a desperation
she'd
never felt before.
"So
sweet, my Aura," he whispered, trailing kisses down her neck, his hands
reaching to pull the sweater over her head. She helped him willingly,
removing
her bra in the process.
Her
soft moan echoed through the apartment as his rough, calloused hands cupped her
soft skin, his fingers inciting her to a near frenzy. She cried
out as
his mouth captured one breast, sucking and pulling at it until she was weak and
moaning in his arms.
Her
own hands had managed to get his shirt and trousers off and were currently
conducting a very thorough examination of his body. She smiled as
she felt
his shudder as she ran her hands across his chest, absorbed his moan as her
mouth soon followed, her hands sliding lower.
She
gasped as he whirled her around and she suddenly felt her back hit the wall,
her legs lifting to wrap around his waist.
"Need
you, now," he panted, his fingers slipping to her core, stroking quickly
to discover she was more than ready for him.
"Yes,
please Obi-Wan, it's been too long," she whimpered as he positioned
himself against her.
With
a sharp cry, he thrust home.
She
moaned as he filled her, the sensation even more exquisite than it had been in
her mind. He was everything she'd imagined and more.
"So
much better in reality," he muttered as he began to move against her, his
lips reaching for hers again.
She
could only moan and tighten her legs around his waist, arching to meet his
every thrust, feeling her body fly higher and higher with each move.
"Obi-Wan,
please, please," was all she could beg as she felt his fingers slide to
her center and press deeply, giving her the final stimulation she
needed to
send her crashing over the edge.
Her
cry of release was joined by his as he emptied himself into her, his arms
holding her tightly to him as he gasped and panted in release.
They
sank to the floor, bodies still entwined, eyes closed as they came to rest
against each other.
Aura
sighed as she finally fluttered her eyes open, feeling her heart begin to race
again as they met his brilliant blue-green orbs.
"Now
that was definitely a welcome I could get used to," he teased softly,
reaching to stroke a sweaty strand of hair off her forehead.
She
laughed, closing her eyes and snuggling closer.
"Me
too, although you think we might move this to someplace a little more
comfortable," she asked, smiling as he nodded and withdrew from her,
lifting
her
carefully into his arms and carrying her into the bedroom.
"Pretty
familiar with my apartment, how long have you been waiting?" she teased
softly, feeling him smile against her forehead.
"Far
too long," he replied, settling her gently onto the bed, using his Force
skills to pull back the covers. She sighed as he immediately climbed in with
her, pulling
her to him and spooning her against him.
"This
is nice, I wanted to wake up like this with you that night," she whispered
as he chuckled against her ear.
"I
dreamt about this moment every night, and during the
day as well. My crew noticed I was more distracted than usual, a very uncommon
occurrence," he replied as she suddenly stiffened.
"Your ship? Your crew? We heard you were attacked, you're
supposedly missing," she began, only to feel him press a finger across her
lips.
"How
can I be missing, I'm right here, and very happy at the moment," he teased
as she frowned at him.
"Stop
joking! What's going on?" she asked seriously, sighing as he turned her to
face him, his eyes boring deeply into hers.
"That
was a rumor we started. We needed our enemies to think we were wounded, to
think I was out of commission," he whispered softly, his eyes darkening
with memory.
She
remained quiet, knowing he would explain.After a moment, he did.
"If
I am not an immediate threat, we might force the corruption out,
its leaders might set their plan in motion a little later than we had thought.
That
gives us more time to figure out what they plan and where they will strike
next," he replied, his face suddenly turning grave.
"What
aren't you telling me?" she whispered, sensing he was keeping something
back.
He
sighed as his eyes clouded.
"General
Kenobi must disappear," he began, stopping her words with a quick kiss.
"It must be so or else the galaxy is doomed," he finished as she
remained
silent.
"What
will you do? Where will you go?" she asked quietly, seeing his eyes turn
even darker.
"The
Force has set in motion a series of events that cannot be changed," he
began, his fingers unconsciously stroking her cheeks as he talked. "Anakin
Skywalker's children must be protected, they must never know their past until
the time comes when they will change the future," he answered cryptically.
She
frowned.
"What
are you saying? You have to go into hiding with a couple of kids?" she
asked in confusion.
He
sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
"Anakin's
wife was with child when he died. Twins were born several months ago. However,
both were separated and put into hiding for their safety," he finished.
Aura
looked at him.
"So
what does this have to do with you?" she asked curiously as he sighed
again.
"I
must go watch over the boy, Luke. He and his sister, who is also in hiding, are
the last Jedi remaining. Luke must be raised and trained if this
battle is
ever to be won," he replied mysteriously again.
Aura
sighed in frustration.
"Can
you stop the riddles please? My mind is already short-circuiting," she
whispered as he smiled slightly.
"I'm
sorry, I'm not used to sharing these things with anyone," he answered
softly, as she felt her eyes fill.
"You
trust me that much?" she whispered, still unable to believe this man was
here with her.
Obi-Wan
smiled.
"More
than I ever thought I could anyone again," he whispered, leaning down to
capture her lips once more.
This
time the kiss was sweet and filled with a promise she was almost scared to
explore. Sighing, she pulled back, smiling into his eyes.
The
smile faded as something he'd said earlier finally registered.
"What
did you mean the 'last' Jedi?" she suddenly asked, sensing a great sadness
fill him at the words.
His
eyes closed for a moment, his forehead wrinkling in what she recognized as
pain.
"Obi-Wan?"
she whispered, trying to soothe the worry from his brow.
"The
Jedi as I knew them are no more," he whispered softly, his eyes dark with
pain when he opened them again.
"What
happened?" she asked quietly, tightening her arms around him.
"Somehow,
Darth Vader and the Sith Lords managed to destroy the
"What?
When? We would have heard something," she began, only to be stopped by the
look in his eyes.
"It
was yesterday, the news has not reached here yet. I felt it through the Force
when it happened, I was on my way here," he whispered, a wealth of pain in
his words.
She
swallowed hard, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist, holding him close
as his grief washed over her.
"I'm
so sorry," was all she could whisper as she held him, feeling his body
tremble against hers for a moment.
"The
Force works in its own way, despite the pain, there is reason behind this,
although I must admit, it is hard to see it at the moment," he
whispered,
tears in his eyes and his voice.
She
simply held him tighter, amazed he'd come to her in the midst of all this
grief.
"I
knew you would be here, and the only person I could talk to about this,"
he whispered through the lump in his throat.
She
smiled, her own eyes filling as she turned her gaze to his.
"I'll
always be here for you, you know that, even though we really haven't known each
other all that long," she whispered, reaching out to cup his cheek and
stroke his stubbly chin.
He
was silent for a moment, looking deeply into her eyes.
"I
know you're hurting, in pain at losing your family and friends, and I wish I
could do something to take that pain away," she whispered, seeing his eyes
flash at her words.
"Could
you love me?"
She
started at the words, sure she'd heard them wrong.
"You
heard them right, could you, or do you love me Aura?" he whispered again,
never breaking their gaze.
She
swallowed hard, feelings rushing through her system, nearly swamping her.
But
she knew her answer without a thought, had probably known it since the first
day she'd met him.
"Yes,
I love you Obi-Wan, I think I have from the moment our eyes met across that
damn room at the press conference," she whispered, seeing his eyes light
up with joy.
"I
think I've loved you even longer, before I knew you, something just told me I'd
find my soulmate one day. And then I looked up at that press
conference,
and I found you," he whispered, smiling as her eyes filled to overflowing.
She
sighed as he leaned down to kiss her sweetly, letting their love deepen the
bond they already shared.
Through
that bond, she suddenly knew what he wanted her to do.
She
pulled back, seeing the understanding in his eyes.
"You
want me to come with you, into hiding," she whispered softly, seeing his
mouth curve into a wry smile.
"You're
getting too good at reading my mind," he whispered, his eyes turning
serious as he pulled her closer.
"I
know I have no right to ask it of you. It will not be an easy existence. I must
get as far away as I can from this life, a place no one would think to
look. We
would not have an easy life, perhaps a dangerous one, and I could not promise
you that I could always keep you safe," he whispered, the words obviously
paining him.
Aura
looked deeply into his eyes, reading all the things he couldn't say.
She
wasn't sure what to think.
She
hardly knew him, but she felt as if she'd known him forever.
He
was asking her to leave everything she'd ever known, the only life she'd known,
for an uncertain future that might end too soon.
But
as she looked into his eyes, she realized suddenly that there was no place
she'd rather be than by his side.
She
saw he'd picked up on the thought as his eyes began to glow in the darkness.
"You're
sure? We have a few days if you need to think about it. I know it's asking more
than I have a right to," he began only to be stopped by her
fingers
this time.
"I
know. I want to go with you Obi-Wan. I have nothing much here anymore,"
she
offered honestly as his eyes grew confused. "The station will soon be
siding against us and I already had determined I did not want to be a part of
it. My family is all dead, so there are no real ties to this place," she
whispered, seeing his eyes lighten again.
"You
would be willing to go into this self-imposed exile with me? No matter that I
am putting your life in danger?" he asked, reaching to cup her face
again.
Aura
smiled into his eyes.
"You
promised to protect me and I believe you will. No one, not even you, can know
the complete plans for the future, even through the "Force" you speak
about. I am willing to risk it, as long as you are by my side, I love
you," she whispered softly, her voice cracking as a tear slid down her cheek.
Obi-Wan's
eyes were moist as well as he pulled her tightly to his chest.
"I
love you more than I ever thought possible, and I will die myself before I let
anything happen to you," he whispered against her hair as she sighed into
his chest.
"I
know," was all she needed to reply as she closed her eyes.
"It's
going to be all right. We'll find a way to survive and we'll find a way to
raise Luke in the footsteps of the Jedi, I won't fail him like I did his
father,"
he whispered against her hair.
She
was suddenly awake again, staring at him strangely.
"How
did you fail his father?" she asked quietly, seeing the pain again dawn in
his eyes.
Obi-Wan
sighed, pulling her close, burying his head against her neck.
"It's
a very long, complicated story that I will tell you when we are away from here.
I promise, I will explain everything, no matter how painful, how
many
failures of mine that might be," he whispered as she hugged him tightly.
"You'll
never be a failure in my eyes," she whispered, feeling him smile against
her hair.
"What
would I do without you?" he whispered, his voice growing drowsy as he
relaxed against her.
"The
gods willing, you'll never have to find out," she replied as she drifted
off to sleep, images of her new life, with Obi-Wan flowing across her mind.
Content
and happy, the two finally slept, unaware of the
important roles they would play in the future of the galaxy, through a boy
named Luke.
SaraC