Fallen

2.





She knew the second he walked into the room, but she didn’t look up. It scared her, just a little... that she was so connected to him. But she’d never admit that out loud. So, she simply continued with her paperwork.



Politics was rarely what one might consider ‘exciting’ but Aala felt like she had finally found something she was good at and was eager to do well. Officially she was an Ambassador to Alderaan, although she was born on Naboo, she had moved to Alderaan when she was 15 to study. In reality, her job consisted mostly of assisting the Vice Roy.

    

She wasn’t expecting today’s meeting to be much trouble, even though the Senator she was meeting with wasn’t exactly known for his even temper. He was there with assistants of his own, so a Jedi Knight had been commissioned as a mediator and a representative of the Republic.



When Obi-Wan took the seat next to her, and she felt his gaze on her, she finally gave in.



“Master Kenobi.” She smiled, finally looking up.

    

“Ambassador Naberrie.” he returned, nodding politely.



And that was it, although their eyes held the conversation a second longer. His faced showed no emotion, but she could see it all in his eyes... something she’d learned how to do very quickly. She thought briefly about the night she met him. It was on Naboo right after the attacks by the Trade Federation... right after his Master died. She’d mistaken his dispassionate expression for actual coldness, hadn’t seen the pain hidden deep in the blue-gray depths of his eyes, and she was still sorry for the way she had acted in return.



 

A gentle wind blew across the dark, grass covered hills of Naboo. The sound of water crashing on the rocks below Theed could be heard, but the dark night hid the waterfalls from easy view. She sat near the side of the cliff, between the hangar and the river. The wind tossed her long blonde hair into her face, but she made no effort to hold it back. She stared out at the star-filled sky before her, seemingly lost in thought.



He watched her quietly. Though he stood not far behind her, she seemed oblivious to his presence. Finding her had been easy enough, she was a beacon, but now he was loathe to disturb the peacefulness that surrounded her. Closing his eyes, he reached out with the Force and was immediately surprised at the awareness he sensed in her. Startled, he opened his eyes to find she had turned her head in his direction.



“Hello...”



He blinked. “Hello.”



When he didn’t say anything else, she turned fully to look at him, raised her eyebrows and cocked her head.



Maybe not so peaceful.

    

“Umm...” he cleared his throat. “The Queen sent me to find you. When you weren’t in your room as she expected, she became concerned.”



“Oh,” she said almost cynically. “I didn’t think she even remembered I was here.” She turned back to face the sky, hugging her knees to her chest                



He was surprised by her openness. “Miss Naberrie, Queen Amidala has a responsibility to her people, she is merely doing her duty.”



“And what about her family?” she challenged, turning to face him again. She set her jaw stubbornly and he could sense her frustration, her anger, her fear of almost losing someone so dear to her... someone who didn’t understand...



...it was as if a mirror had been placed in front of him. He didn’t know what to say.



“Nevermind.” She sighed. “I wouldn’t expect you to understand.”    



“What do you mean by that?” He knew what, it was a common enough mis-perception, but he was curious if she would actually say it out loud.    



“You’re a Jedi. Naturally I would expect you to know more about duty than family.”  She crossed her arms tightly across her body, defiance in her eyes. He simply stared her down, refusing to be drawn into an argument.



She sighed deeply and glanced off into the darkness. “You can tell her I’m fine.    



“I’d feel much better if you came back with me and told her yourself. It’s not safe for you to be out here alone.”



She rolled her eyes. “Master Kenobi, may I remind you I’ve done quite fine without you for nearly 21 years, and while I may not be a Jedi Knight, I’m certainly capable of taking care of myself.”    



“Miss Naberrie,” he said firmly, “may I remind you, it was only a few days ago this planet was under attack and while I’m sure you do quite well under normal circumstances, outside the palace, unarmed on a dark night is simply asking for trouble.”  She was either very brave or simply very naive, but either way he wasn’t going to leave her out there by herself.    

 

Now, he knew it was both, watching her negotiate with a more than difficult opponent. Perhaps ‘naive’ wasn’t the right word. She certainly wasn’t ignorant about the state of affairs of the galaxy. It was more an optimism she held onto. And he liked that about her. She believed everything would turn out alright and she was brave enough to go out into the galaxy and do something to make sure she wasn’t proven wrong.



Aala had come back with him that night, as he wished, and he hadn’t been offended when she had snapped at him. Just reminded of how well he really did know what she was feeling. And that had unsettled him... just a little. And he’d been more than surprised, although he thought he hid it well, when she sought him out the next day to apologize. The first of many surprises from Aala Naberrie.



The second surprise had been when he fell for her. He hid that best of all.                                            

Jedi were not allowed attachments. He didn’t need to remind himself of that. It came as natural as breathing. Some might think that was cold, but he knew she understood that was who he was.



He watched her discuss politics and procedures with the authority of someone twice her age and experience. They came to an agreement far sooner then he would’ve expected.



Amused, he questioned her as to why he was even there.



“We have to pretend you Jedi are good for something,” she said with a mischievous smile.



He chuckled. “We are a useless bunch, aren’t we.”        



She laughed, gathering her papers and books, then turned more serious, holding them to her chest. “Perhaps it’s just for peace of mind. I know you’re not any good at politics.” They shared a moment. “But, thank you.”



“Of course. Can I walk you out?”



“Oh, that’s alright.. My office is just a few floors down. I wouldn’t want to hold you up.”    



“Alright.”

    

She held his gaze, saying a million things with one look, things he knew he would never hear her say out loud. “I’ll see you soon.” She touched his arm and left, without looking back.

       

And the third surprise...    



...the third surprise had been when she had let him go – every time she let him go without saying a word. The irony was, that only made him care for her that much more.



Of course, Aala wasn’t so bad at hiding things herself.