Pawn of Darkness

Chapter 4

Obi-Wan shifted restlessly.. He wasn't quite sure what had woken him, but something had. He had been so tired from hours of flying that he had drifted right to sleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. Now only a few hours after falling asleep he was awake and something was nagging at him through the force. He just couldn't quite place what it was. He felt no danger, just a pulling Something on the edges of his consciousness was demanding attention, yet staying extremely evasive.
He stood stretching his back and neck, and walked quietly to the refrigerator. He opened the door and cursed to himself when he saw the light was burned out.
Arianna opened the bedroom door slowly trying her best not to wake anyone. She moved stealthily from her room and came face to face with the open refrigerator door, slamming into it and sending her stumbling backwards. She fell unceremoniously against her bedroom door and slumped there for a moment, her mind still trying to wrap around what had just happened to her.
Suddenly there was a hand on her shoulder and a dark shadow looming over her, panic struck for a minute before she heard his voice.
" Are you all right ? "
She struggled a minute before straightening herself and standing upright again.
" Yes, I'm fine. What just happened ? " she asked, still confused in the darkness.
" I was just getting something to drink and I didn't notice you coming out of your room. You ran into the refrigerator door. Are you certain you are not injured ? " he asked, his voice full of apology and concern.
Arianna felt a slight tingling in her forehead and immediately shut down her force sense.
" Oh no. " she scolded, good naturally. " Anna is off limits for probing. I'm fine really I am. " she assured him.
Only then did she realize the hand resting on her shoulder was shaking considerably.
" Why do I scare you so much ? " she asked, reaching up and touching his hand.
Obi-Wan jerked his hand back in response and stepped away from her.
" You don't scare me. " he lied, defensively.
" Yes, I do. You can't lie to me. I can feel it. " she said, stepping towards him.
" Now who is probing without permission. " he asked, trying to change the very uncomfortable subject.
" I am not probing, you are projecting. I don't see how I could have missed how uncomfortable I make you."
" You.... You don't make me uncomfortable. " he stammered.
. She reached out and touched his hand, making him almost gasp out loud.
You don't have to be nervous. I don't bite, she told him inside his head.
Obi-Wan smiled as he began to feel her projecting waves of relaxation to him.
" Oh, I think maybe you do bite. " he whispered, letting himself enjoy the ease she was sending him. Soon he noticed his hands were no longer shaking.
" How about we find that drink ? " she said, gently pulling her hand away and moving to the refrigerator " I guess I really need to get this light fixed before someone gets seriously hurt. " she kidded.
She moved to the sink and flipped a switch. Soft yellow l fil filtered from under the counter.
She turned and looked at him. Suddenly it was her turn to catch her breath. Obi-Wan stood beside her, closer than she realized. Bronze muscled shoulders slumped a bit in relaxation. His arms crossed over the light dusting of sandy hair on his bare chest. Her eyes followed the trail of hair down across his well defined stomach and abdomen where it disappeared into a pair of baggy pants right below his navel. She drew her eyes back up quickly, hoping he had not seen her gapping stare.
Obi-Wan noticed her expression change and all at once the nervousness he had first experienced returned, only heightened now at seeing her with her hair pulled into a tight braid. She wore a silken gown of the purest purple, leaving her shoulders bare with only a skinny strap covering them. The gown clung to her curves and defined her petite body.
Obi-Wan gulped around the large lump that had formed in his throat and stumbled backwards.
Anna regained her composure and smiled at him smoothly.
" So what would you like ? "
" Huh.... Huh ? " Obi-Wan stuttered, not sure of what it was she was offering.
" To drink ? What would you like to drink ? "
Quickly remembering what had brought him to this moment in time, he tried to shake the fog from his mind. " Whatever your having. " he finally managed.
She went to the refrigerator and retrieved a large cobalt blue bottle. Then she got two glasses from the cabinet beside it and began pouring a blue liquid and handed one of the glasses to him.
He took it and looked at it suspiciously.
" It's wonderful. Try it. " she urged taking a drink from her glass.
Obi took a tentative sip from the glass. The liquid was cool and refreshing as it slid down his throat.
" This is wonderful. What it is ? "
" Its made from a fruit that grows around here. " she explained.
" This is fruit juice ? " he asked, surprised because it didn't taste like juice.
" No, no. " she explained. " its made from the liquid inside the seed. The juice is horrible. It's very bitter. "
Obi-Wan took another drink. " Interesting." he murmured as he enjoyed the taste on his tongue.
" It's called Tanagio. "
She moved past the counter and went to sit at the bar. Then she reached over and patted the stool next to her.
Obi-Wan took the invitation and sat down beside her.
" So how long have you been with Master Jinn ? " she asked.
" About six years now. I am about to take my trials as soon as we return to Corescant. " he answered, suddenly feeling a bit more confident. Then he realized it was because she was projecting again. He was amazed at how easily she could affect him.
" Do you feel like your ready for that ? "
" I felt like I was ready two years ago. But then Master Jinn always says I'm impatient and impetuous. "
" Impetuous can be good. Too much structure means that you don't know how to have a good time. "
Obi-Wan looked at her. He tried to send tendrils of the force towards her in an attempt to read her a little better.
Sudden barriers blocked him.
" You are always so guarded. Why is that ? " he asked.
" I guess I'm just trying to keep the mysterious thing going. " she smiled.
Obi-Wan sighed. " It is working quite well. I have no idea whether your serious or not. "
She placed a hand on top of his. " I am always serious. "
" Now you are making me very uncomfortable. " he said, pulling his hand away.
" I don't mean to. " she said, innocently.
" I believe that you do actually. " he told her leveling her with a stare. He sighed, confusion almost making his head hurt.
" Maybe if you would let me in a little, I would know what you want from me. "
She pretended to consider it for a moment. " No, I don't think so, I'm afraid you will have to play this one by ear. "
" Then maybe I should be asking you why you are so afraid of me. " he said, seeing her suddenly in an entirely new life. The woman who minutes before seemed confidant and fearless now seemed scared and defensive.
She looked at him for a shocked moment " I am not scared of you. " she said, a little too forcefully.
" I didn't mean to offend you. " he back peddled as fast as he could.
" It's okay you didn't offend me. I guess I'm just tired. " she assured him.
" I am just curious about why you have surrounded yourself with so many walls. What are you hiding ? " he pushed, very curious now.
" I am hiding nothing. I simply do not like people invading my consciousness. It has been a long time since I was around Jedi. "
" I don't know why, but I believe there is much more to it than that. " The thing that had awoken him now seemed to be shouting at him. What was the force trying to tell him. He reached out and surprised himself by taking her hand. " What have you been doing out here all these years all alone. ?"
Arianna stood and walked away from him. She kept her back to him afraid of actually looking at him. " I told you both I have been singing, trying to keep busy and putting my past behind me. " she answered,. evasively.
" Is that what the Jedi are to you now, your past ? "
She considered that for a long moment. Then turned and looked at him without any trace of her earlier unease.
" I'm not sure. " she admitted. " I don't know whether I would be as welcome at the temple as you believe I will. "
Obi stood and walked towards her. " Why would you not be welcomed ? What could possibly make you think that ? "
She stepped back evading him. " All I'm saying is sometimes its hard to go back home. " she muttered, avoiding his eyes. " I think maybe I should be getting to bed. "
" Okay, but I want you to know that Qui-Gon and I are both here for you. If you need to talk I'll listen. "
A smile slowly came to her face. " I appreciate that. It has been a very long time since I had someone to talk to. "
He took a hesitant step, trying to close the gap between them. " I bet it has been very hard for you, out here alone, isolated from your family. " he whispered, reaching out and softly brushing a stray hair from her face.
Her shoulders seemed to slump and again all the confidence that was present a second ago was gone and to Obi-Wan she seemed vulnerable and helpless, standing there staring up at him. " Let me help you. "
She looked at him uncertainly as he completely closed the space that separated them and took her into his arms. He wasn't sure at first whether he was about to be slapped, but he relaxed when he felt her melt into his embrace.
" Now give me your problems. Let me take your loneliness and fears. " he whispered, opening himself to her.
Anna felt tears beginning to form in her eyes. She opened herself as much as she dared and felt years of negativity and turmoil ease out of her and into him. He took it all and sent back waves of comfort and peace. They stood like that for what seemed like hours. Anna couldn't remember the last time she had been touched by another human being. She relished in the feeling of his hard body against hers. The hair on his chest tickled her nose. She drank in his force presence. For the first time in years she felt connected to someone else. She wasn't alone.
Obi-Wan stroked her hair and held her tighter as he felt her bury her head further in his shoulder. He let the feeling of her wrap around him. Her softness surrounded him. The smell of her hair assaulted his senses.
After a few minutes she raised her head from his shoulder and looked into his eyes. Tears were streaming down her cheeks in slowly fng rng rivers. He reached his hand out and wiped them gently away. He fought desperately against a sudden almost overwhelming urge to kiss her. The battle was lost when he saw her wet her lips in anticipation.
He bent his head and brushed his lips hesitantly against hers. She leaned into him and he deepened the kiss as he felt her respond. Her arms tightened around him and he could feel the lof hof her barriers slipping away. She enveloped him in her force sense and he felt as if electricity was pulsing through him. Never had he responded to anyone else like this. He opened himself trying to ensure that she knew what she was doing to him, wanting her to experience it too.
Suddenly, he felt her walls slam firmly back into place, making him jerk and stumble backwards. He felt as if he had been hit with a blaster at her abrupt withdrawal.
" I'm sorry. " she whispered. Then she turned and started to walk away.
Obi-Wan recovered only just in time to reach out and put his hand on her arm to stop her.
She froze the second she felt his hand on her.
" Wait, please, " he breathed, raggedly.
Slowly, she turned back to him, looking at the floor to avoid his eyes.
" I'm sorry. " he whispered. " I don't know what came over me. I should not have done that, Please forgive me. "
He watched her and in the span of merely seconds it seemed as if she transformed into a different person, the assurance and self-confidence had returned. She was no longer vulnerable.
" You were not alone. I kissed you as well. " she smiled, meeting his gaze. " I should have been more careful. It seems I have been out here a bit longer than I realized. "
He wanted so badly to have her back in his arms. He wanted to feel her again.
" You don't have to be alone anymore. " he offered.
" Unfortunately, yes I do. " she whispered.
Then she turned and walked swiftly back to her room, closing the door behind her.

The shadowy figure shifted a bit. The stupid girl had been so close to letting these idiots find out about him. How could she have made such a childish mistake. He would not allow her hormones to ruin his plans. He had to get rid of these Jedi. He would not let them interfere, especially the young one. If he didn't know better he would have sworn that one could almost sense hHe hHe had to do something to make them go away. There had even been talk of her returning to the Temple. He worked far to long to get his pet away from that accursed place. He would not allow her to leave. He moved as quickly as possible without detection, heading for the door Arianna had just gone through.

Arianna stood at the balcony again, staring at the stars. She spent many hours here, thinking about her past. Now she was completely lost in the present. She could still feel his arms around her, the warmth, the tenderness of his touch. His lips against hers had been so invitingly strong and passionate. Passion, comfort, they were emotions she hadn't felt in longer than she could remember. She wanted nothing more than to go to him and let him envelope her in his presence again. There was something so gentle about him, yet she could feel the fire behind the softness. It lay just under the surface and she knew he struggled to keep it under control. She knew well of emotions just under the surface. She was well versed in trying to keep them under control. Even now headhead pounded almost unbearably. Leaving him standing there watching after her, confusion and need pouring from him, had been the hardest thing she had had to do in a very long time. But she had no choice. She needed to get away from him. She didn't understand why herself but she knew she couldn't let anyone inside and tonight she had come dangerously close. A feeling of fear and dread overtook her. She reached up and took her head in her hands, trying to still the pounding, then she let one of them drift down and brushed her fingers across her mouth. She could taste him, feel the pressure of his lips against hers. Why couldn't she just turn around and go back to him ? Why couldn't she let herself have what she wanted ?
The dread was still there, becoming almost oppressive now. She sank to her knees as tears fell down her cheeks. She barely stifled a sob before it escaped her lips. She couldn't let him hear her crying. She didn't want him to know about the terror she felt. She could only guess that she was going insane. Maybe cutting herself off from the force for so long had done things to her.
A soft knock fell on the door. She gathered herself up and tried to be as quiet as possible. Perhaps he would think she was asleep and go away.
The knock came again, louder this time.
" Arianna, " she heard his voice calling to her. All she had to do was answer him and he would be beside her, holding her, comforting her, keeping the fear away.
Slowly, the knob began to turn and her breath caught in her throat.
" Arianna, I know something is wrong. Are you okay ? " Obi-Wan asked, from behind the slightly ajar door.
" I'm fine. " she answered, her voice scarcely above a whisper.
The door opened completely and he was there, shoulders squared and a frown furrowing his eyebrows. His gray-blue eyes scanned the room for a moment, searching for her. They landed on the floor in front of the balcony doors, and he was beside her in an instant.
" What is it ? " he asked, gathering her to him.
" Nothing. I'm fine, really I am. " she breathed into his chest.
" You are not fine. You are huddled in the floor in a ball and you have obviously been crying."
" How did you know ? " she asked in a distant voice.
" I felt you. You were projecting quite loudly. I'm surprised Master Jinn is not in here as well. " he answered as he softly began rocking her. " What happened ? You seemed okay when you come in here. "
" I just get these headaches sometimes. "
" Headaches ? All of this is from a headache ? " he asked, incredulously.
She burrowed her head further into his chest and let herself drink in his strength. " Just hold me. "
She felt him shift slightly and without realizing what was happening he was carrying her to the large satin covered bed in the opposite corner of the room. He laid her gently against the soft sheets, never letting her lose contact with him.
" I'll be here as long as you need me. " he assured her as he settled back against the black headboard.
" Why are you being so nice to me ? "
He shifted again and looked down into her beautiful face. The moonlight catching her eyes and making them seem to glikelike beacons almost made him choke. " Why wouldn't I be nice to you ? " he asked, confused.
" I don't know. It has been a long time since I was with anyone who cared about me ? " she whispered, feeling the tears welling in her eyes.
He touched her cheek softly and granted her a soft smile. " You don't have to be any longer. There are many people who care about you. "
" I know there are people that care, but not like this, not like you. I feel so drawn to you. I only just met you a matter of hours ago, but I feel like I have known you for years. I feel safe and guarded in your arms. " she struggled to try and explain her feelings.
" You are safe. " he whispered. " I won't like anything happen to you. Nothing will harm you while I'm here. You have nothing to fear. "
" Obi-Wan, " she breathed, pressing herself tighter againsm. Sm. She felt him shift and tighten beside her.
She nestled into his protectiveness, trying to bury herself against the fear and dread that threatened to consume her. She wasn't close enough. She maneuvered her bare leg across his and thought she heard a hiss escape from him. It was then that she realized how tightly he was keeping himself in cheek.
She looked up into his face with wide, emotion-filled eyes. She wanted to feel his lips on hers again. She wanted to be as close to him as she could be.
She moved without realizing that she was going to, as if her body acted on its on accord, knowing what it needed and taking it. Her lips were on his instantly, bringing a sharp yelp of surprise from him. He stiffened and she almost thought he was going to pull away from her, but after a moment he seemed to melt against her and pull her tighter at the same time.
Her lips slid against his as her arms moved around his broad shoulders. His body felt so rigid against hers. He was still so tense. She sent out a small bit of the force to him and was met with waves of confusion and uncertainty. She opened herself as much as she dared and sent him her feelings of need and desire and felt more than heard the moan that escaped from him.
Open yourself to me. She sent. I want to feel you.
Another groan and suddenly she was almost knocked backwards by the flourish of desire and longing he was holding back. The intensity of his passion was staggering. She gasped throwing her head back and lavishing in the feel of him.
He took the opportunity to assault her neck with his lips, kissing softly at first, then nipping gently as she responded to him. His hands fumbled around her trying to decided on where they wanted to be.
There was an innocence in him, a doubtfulness in his movements. She wondered briefly if this was his first time with a woman, but the thought was vanquished when his hand cupped her breast and his finger racked across her already erect nipple. She moaned softly as he took the nipple into his mouth, teasing her through the flimsy fabric of her gown. His confidence seemed to build at every noise that fell from her lips. Her body quivered under his exploring hands. His mouth moved from one breast to the other, showering it with the same treatment.
Finally, unable to take the barrier between his flesh and hers any longer, she quickly pulled the gown over her head and let it fall to the floor behind them.
Obi-Wan sat back a bit, a startled expression on his face. His eyes seemed to be taking in every inch of her all at once and she stretched out beside him, letting him scrutinize her naked body. The look of wonder and desire showed clearly on his face and when he reached out his hand to touch the soft skin of her stomach lightly, she saw it was trembling so hard he could hardly control it. The thought came back to her again, but this time there was hardly any doubt.
" Obi-Wan, have you ever done this before ? " she asked, quietly reaching out and placing her hand over his.
The redness that rose in his cheeks was all the answer he gave her, but it was enough.
She smiled gently and moved his hand to her lips where she kissed his palm softly.
A worried expression crossed his face. " Please don't tell me we are going to stop because of I amI am pretty sure if we do, I'll explode. " he whispered, in a begging tone.
She chuckled and stretched her hand up to tangle it in the braid that hung over his shoulder. " Only if you want to. " she answered.
" I don't think I would stop now if Master Jinn came bursting through the door. " he smiled, nervously.
" Then touch me. " she breathed.
His body was against hers again before the words wermplempletely out of her mouth.
I'm not sure what to do. He admitted in her head. Show me.
She filled his head with images of where and how to touch her. He was a quick, eager learner, taking in everything she gave him and giving it back to her with an intensity that was mind-blowing. He explored every inch of her skin with his hands and mouth. She had never felt such a desperate desire for anyone before. When she felt she could take no more of his attack on her senses, she pushed him back with a soft nudge and watched as he fell back against the mattress. Her hands glided across his chest with a feather-light touch, eliciting several low moans from him. Her lips followed her hands with almost the same light touch, except for the occasional racking of her teeth in his most sensitive areas. Almost every move she made with her tongue, hands and lips brought another gasp, or moan from him. The feel of power over him was almost intoxicating. She could have him begging for her with a touch of her lips. She could make him writhe under her fingertips. She could make him anything she wanted at that moment.
Startled by her train of thought, she snatched away from him abruptly and pulled her force sense back in so suddenly she heard him groan, as if in pain. She turned her back to him quickly, unable to look at him.
His hand reached up to her shoulder and touched her softly.
" Please, do not do this to me again. Not now. I don't think I could take it this time. " he begged.
" Obi-Wan, " she began softly.
He cut off off with the quickness of his movement as he snatched his hand away.
" I understand. " he said, standing from the bed. " I'll go. "
The pain in his voice was more than she could take. She turned back to him, and reached out just before he was out of her grasp.
" I am sure you have your reasons for all this. " he breathed, still trying desperately to rein in his emotions. " You don't have to explain. "
" Please don't go. " she whispered. " Don't leave me. "
He sighed and closed his eyes for a moment then with a deep breath he opened them again, seemly much more in control now. " If you are unsure about this, I have no desire to force my will on you. If you want me to go I will. I want you to be as certain as I am. "
" I am certain. I want you. I want you as much as you want me. " she assured him, taking his hand and kissing his fingertips. " Please don't leave. "
He pulled his hand back and hastily shed the only clothing he wore. Then he stood, completely exposed to her, like a gift to a Goddess, placed before her.
She reached out with the force and pulled him back to the bed with her. He let her guide him with no reluctance.
There bodies came together in a clash of desire and a tangle of arms and legs. There was an urgency now, a crushing insistence to merge with one another. The kisses no longer teased and lingered, they were fiery, demanding. It was only moments before he was poised above her and with only the slightest urging from her he was inside her. Only then did his movements slow. He lingered over each thrust. She could feel him rippling through her center. She let him set the pace, understanding his desire to fully experience each new sensation he was feeling. It was a slow, easy pace, almost coming completely to a halt several times for long moments as he buried himself as far as he could and stayed that way, feeling her pulse around him. His face was a study of amazement and concentration. Sweat poured from him as his hips pivoted in a circular motion. A low growl escaped from his throat and she was suddenly sitting astride him. She marveled that he had managed the change of position without losing contact with her at all. His hand fell to her hips and she shifted slightly steadying herself in her new location. Then she began to move with soft, quick thrusts of her hips. His fingers dug into her flesh, his growl deepened, and so did the feeling that had begun in her center. It spread through her and all at once the urgency returned, this time the need for release for both of them drove them forward. There bodies collided, grinding together in desperation to finish the dance they had begun what seemed like hours before.
She moaned his name as she felt him explode inside her and at the sound that rumbled from his chest, she fell as well, finally letting the feeling of release overcome her.
They lay for several minutes, panting for air, sweat covering them. Finally able to move again, Obi-Wan shifted and settled her beside him, her hand resting on the crook of his arm.
She reached her hand up and made lazy circles on his chest with her fingertips.
An awkward silence settled over the room and Obi-Wan shifted slightly. The arm that wound around her waist tightened.
" What are you thinking about ? " she asked, quietly.
" I was wondering why you pulled away from me earlier. " he admitted. " I don't suppose there is any chance that you will tell me now. "
" No, not much. All you need to worry about is that I changed my mind. That's all that matters really anyway. " she said.
" It really seems like you are keeping something from me. I don't have the slightest idea of what it would be. But it definitely feels like I am being kept in the dark about something. " he sighed.
She raised up and crossed her arms on his chest before resting her head there. " I know I am distant and I know you know there are parts of me I wish to keep to myself, but please understand that I have my reasons for keeping my secrets. "
He reached up to stroke her hair. " I know and like I said before, I'll be here as long as you need me. When you're ready to tell me what your hiding, I'll be here to listen. "
She leaned up and kissed him softly. " That is one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me."
" That is because I am a really nice guy. " he smiled, lazily. " I think we should both get some sleep. "
She tensed a bit. " Do you think it will be okay with Master Jinn if he finds that you slept in here in the morning ? "
" I am old enough to make my own decisions. We are both adults. Even if he doesn't like it, he will have to accept it. " His words sounded much more confident than his voice, but she let it pass.
" I think if you stay here long I will have to insist on keeping you. " she teased, changing the subject.
He pulled her to him and kissed her thoroughly. " Then I will have to make sure I stay here as long as possible. " he answered.
Arianna slid down beside him and rested her head on his chest once more. Then she closed her eyes and let herself drink in the warmth and protection of the man beside her. The fear held at bay, she fell asleep almost immediately to the strong, steady sound of Obi-Wan's heartbeat.