Chapter Twelve

Anakin and Rabe' followed DiArta and Amidala at a discreet distance. Anakin felt confident enough to let them out of his sight once or twice, knowing he could still sense their location through the Force. He could feel DiArta's tension ease slightly and looked upon this as an encouraging sign that she might be ready to let Amidala go.

For her part, Amidala walked casually beside the Maschan, her face a portrait of serenity.

After awhile, Amidala spoke.

"It's very obvious now, you are not a jedi. Who are you?"

DiArta frowned. "That's none of your concern."

"The young woman with you, is she really a jedi? Or a Sith?" the queen persisted.

"Unfortunately, she is a real jedi. The part about the Sith, I just made that up to scare you."

Amidala scowled. "That's reprehensible of you."

"I wouldn't have said it if I would have known how all of you were going to panic the way you did."

"How did you expect me to react?" Amidala snapped.

DiArta shrugged. "Everyone knows there aren't anymore Sith. And besides, what is a Sith except for a misguided jedi?"

"A Sith is a dark lord, not a jedi," Amidala corrected.

"Shut up! Someone's coming!" DiArta snapped suddenly and grabbed the queen's arm to haul her back. Up ahead, the Gungan ambassador had gathered up a platoon of palace guards. They were dashing in and out of different corridors, their weapons drawn, obviously searching. DiArta hissed through her teeth in frustration.

"Move it girl, I don't have the time to play around anymore," DiArta grumbled. They were walking quickly now, turning down a different hallway. One DiArta did not recognize. She suddenly realized she had lost her sense of direction and had no idea how to get out of the palace from their current position. Cursing, she pushed Amidala against one of the huge marble pillars lining the walls. She aimed her blaster under the queen's chin. "Get us outside right now," she declared, her voice shaking. "I know you've been misleading me. It's going to stop."

Amidala stood glaring at her. DiArta looked away from her suddenly and frowned. They both heard the sound of approaching footsteps. Amidala spared a glance up the hall.

Two jedi appeared from around the corner, racing towards them. One was Tamerlane and the other was...Obi Wan. Amidala smiled to herself, greatly encouraged by this turn of events.

The jedi both skidded to a stop and drew lightsabers a moment later as DiArta began firing her blaster at them. They deflected the shots with ease and it became apparent to DiArta she would not be able to hit either one of them. Disgusted, she turned the blaster back on the queen.

"DiArta are you mad?!" Tamerlane exclaimed. She couldn't believe the Maschan had resorted to this.

Obi Wan and Amidala locked eyes. She offered him a hint of a smile. She wanted him to know his presence was both welcome and reassuring to her. She drew strength from his unwavering gaze and felt her fear begin to dissipate.

Tamerlane spied movement down the hall at the opposite end of the corridor. Anakin and Rabe' were coming towards them, slowly, distinctly aware of the danger directed at the queen.

"DiArta, look around you. You can't win," Tamerlane began. "If there is one thing that I've learned today it's that recognizing defeat can save you a lot of time and energy." She and Obi Wan exchanged quick, knowing looks.

Anakin was pleased to see his master at the other end of the hall. He knew he had been able to reach him through the Force. He was surprised, however, to see Tamerlane standing at his side, ready to fight if need be. The Force pulsed between the three of them and Anakin drew from it, concentrating.

DiArta's eyes were wild as she darted glances back and forth between the opposite ends of the hall. She really didn't want to have to resort to blasting people, but presently had no other choice. She already knew firing at the jedi was pointless. But the boy and the handmaiden were unarmed. After all, she had his lightsaber in her belt.

"Don't mind us," DiArta seethed. "We were just leaving." She grabbed Amidala's arm and pulled her after her, as she started towards Anakin. Amidala paled and her heart sunk as she saw DiArta raise her blaster and aim at Anakin. "Sorry about this boy, but you are standing in my way."

A high pitched, excited voice suddenly filled the halls behind Anakin. Everyone was momentarily rendered motionless.

"Der dey are! Heer! Heer! I's foun dem!" Jar Jar exclaimed, running blindly into the hall with the guards at his heels.

Anakin sensed what was going to happen and felt himself moving in reaction without having the chance to tell his body to do so.

Startled, DiArta had swung her blaster around at Jar Jar and fired. Anakin stretched out his hand and deflected the laser blast away from his friend. He felt a searing pain up his arm as the blast hit his palm. The impact sent him crashing against the wall. Obi Wan screamed his name and rushed forward. Jar Jar fainted.

Suddenly everyone sprung into action. Amidala had gotten ahold of Anakin's lightsaber, deflected a laser blast with it as DiArta shot at her, and then with one expert stroke, brought the blade down. The blaster and DiArta's arm fell to the floor. DiArta screeched wildly. Tamerlane grabbed her and pulled her away from the queen. The guards quickly surrounded her and took her away. Amidala deactivated Anakin's lightsaber and ran over to him.

Shaken, but relieved to find his apprentice relatively unharmed, Obi Wan knelt on the floor in front of Anakin and helped him sit up.

Amidala threw her arms around the boy's neck and hugged him tightly. "Oh Anakin, I was afraid you had been shot!"

Anakin shook his head. "I'm all right," he stated and hugged her back. He smiled sheepishly. "This wasn't how I had pictured our time together. Considering it has been over a year, I kind of had something else in mind." He looked into her eyes and felt her warm hand touching his cheek. "I haven't even had the chance to say 'hello' yet."

Amidala smiled. "Hello."

Anakin sighed heavily. "I'm so glad you're all right."

"But you're not," Obi Wan interrupted. "You're hurt."

Anakin looked surprised. "I am?"

"Your hand," Obi Wan told him.

Anakin lifted his hand to observe his injury. The skin on his palm was blackened and raw-looking. He frowned deeply. "Ooo, ow. That's nasty."

Obi Wan shook his head at his young apprentice. "It's your own fault," he teased. "And I have no sympathy for you when you pull a stunt like that and could have very well gotten yourself killed. I hope it smarts for days."

Anakin grinned. "I was only doing what the Force was telling me to do, Master. There was no other way to stop the blast. You know what, now that I've seen my hand, it really hurts," Anakin stated."

Amidala positioned herself at his side. "Let's get you to a medic," she offered. She took a hold of his other hand and pulled him to his feet.

"Look at you!" Amidala was saying. She swept her eyes up and down his tall and slender frame. She put her arm around his waist and smiled brightly. "You've doubled in height. In another year, you'll be taller than Obi Wan."

Anakin lowered his eyes and tried hard not to let Amidala see him blush, but she took his chin in her hand and tilted his face up to hers.

"And you get cuter too," she whispered.

Anakin caught Obi Wan's amused grin out of the corner of his eye and knew he must be blushing bright red now.

Sparing Anakin any further embarrassment, Obi Wan cleared his throat and gestured at Anakin's lightsaber, which was still in the queen's hand.

"That was an impressive demonstration of lightsaber skills, Your Majesty," he began. "I hadn't realized you had used a saber before."

Amidala shrugged. "I haven't, actually. I guess I must have a little of the Force in me as well. I don't even remember grabbing it. All of a sudden, it was just there in my hand and without even thinking, I reacted." She held the lightsaber hilt out for Anakin. He accepted it from her with a grateful smile and clipped it to his belt.

Obi Wan furrowed his brow. "Just like a jedi..." He peered over at Anakin, whose eyes were locked on Amidala.

"I gave it to you," he admitted quietly. "I called the lightsaber to your hand. You were very receptive to the guidance of the Force. It was risky, but it worked." He faced his master. "Thanks for that extra practice session. It really did come in handy." He smiled again.

Struggling to keep his voice level and his anger in check, Obi Wan took a deep steadying breath. "Anakin, she could have been seriously hurt if you would have lost control of that blade. Perhaps we need to have a talk about reckless and impulsive behavior," he began.

"I'm sorry Obi Wan. I just didn't see another way. I wouldn't have let anything happen to her. I was in complete control of the lightsaber the whole time."

Anakin was looking up at him with wide apologetic eyes and Obi Wan could feel his temper wane. He sighed heavily and offered his apprentice a reassuring smile. "Go. Take care of your hand." Anakin nodded, relieved.

Rabe' took Obi Wan's place at Anakin's side. She and Amidala escorted him down the hall to the medical offices.

Obi Wan stood staring down the hall long after Anakin had left his sight. He didn't realize Tamerlane was standing beside him until she spoke.

"If I hadn't seen all that, I would have never believed it," she stated. "Who is that boy? He's fearless. And his control of the Force is unlike any I have ever known."

Obi Wan faced her. "My apprentice, Anakin Skywalker." He sighed. "I worry about him sometimes."

"How do you mean?"

"He's just now beginning to realize the things he is capable of. He feels the power inside him and uses it even though he's not sure if he can control it."

"You find that unsettling?" Tamerlane went on. "I would think you would be proud of his courage."

Obi Wan lowered his eyes briefly. "In a way...I am. He's done nothing but impress me. But I am ultimately responsible for any mistakes he might make as he explores his potential. I only hope I can teach him the proper ways to utilize the Force before he tries something and finds he has no control."

"If he makes a mistake, it will be his own fault, not yours," Tamerlane offered.

Obi Wan shook his head. "No. I am his master. His mistakes are mine."

Tamerlane swallowed hard, bowing her head. "I...wish my own master felt that way." It hurt to think he no longer wanted her as an apprentice.

Obi Wan reached up tentatively and tilted her face back until her eyes once more met his. He gazed steadily at her and sighed admiringly. She really was beautiful. He was taken by her aura of vulnerability and loneliness, and felt curiously protective of her. "Don't be sad," he whispered and bent towards her slowly, feeling himself being drawn closer by her large dark eyes. "I'll be there for you."

Tamerlane placed her hand over his on her cheek. His palm was calloused but his touch was tender. "Thank you," she sighed. She gazed back at him, her heart pounding fitfully inside her. He was so sweet, she thought. And so handsome. Her eyes traced the curve of his upper lip and she wondered what it would be like to kiss him. She parted her lips and closed her eyes in a subtle invitation. He drew her closer to him. She could feel his breath on her cheek and the warmth of his lips just before they touched hers. She felt her heart and time itself stop.

Suddenly a low pitiful whail coming from the floor just behind them made the jedi abruptly turn away from each other. Jar Jar was moaning, struggling to sit up.

"Whatta happen? Did mesa git chot?"

Obi Wan smiled and helped the Gungan to his feet.

"No. You did faint however," he told him.

Jar Jar looked around him. "Whersa very body? Iss it all ober?" He suddenly spied the dismembered arm down the hall in front of him and made a face. "Eew! Yucky!"

"Oh don't worry," Tamerlane assured him. "There were no casualties."

"Thanks to Anakin," Obi Wan added. "He saved your life Jar Jar. He could have been seriously hurt or maybe even killed. Her Highness and Rabe' took him to the medical offices. You should go and see him."

Jar Jar's eyes grew big. He clucked his tongue and shook his head. "Moi, moi, mesa indebited to da jedi agin!" He trudged off with a huge smile on his face, feeling a new sense of purpose and importance.

Obi Wan faced Tamerlane.

She gazed up at him, not sure what to say. He had almost kissed her. Even knowing he was willing to do so made her feel grateful. Perhaps she wasn't such an abhorrent criminal after all. She felt changed somehow. It was as though she was able to think clearly for the first time in a long time. She felt the Force flowing between them, conveying unvoiced thoughts and feelings. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, relishing the new serenity in her mind.

"Tamerlane," Obi Wan began softly. "Will you come back with me to Coruscant?"

She didn't say anything at first, just reached over and took Obi Wan's hand in hers. She turned it slowly over, examining it carefully, then smiled.

"Ah, I recognize it now. You're the 'other hand.' "

Obi Wan didn't bother to pretend he understood. "Excuse me?"

Tamerlane laughed lightly. She squeezed his hand once before releasing it. "Oh, just something I keep dreaming about. It's nothing really." She paused, taking a deep breath, then nodded. "Yes, Obi Wan, I'm ready to go home now."