By the time the taxi had reached the city, she was beginning to feel calmer and her inspiration came back. She wanted to make something depressing, she knew that much. Her intention would be to make something that reflected how she felt. How lonely and trapped and isolated. An image was already in her head of how she wanted it to look.

     Once she was inside the painting studio, she walked over to her other canvases. The ones that were already covered in paint and many had long since dried. Most of the paintings she had were from her former years. From when she was a teenager. They were nostalgic pieces that she didn't want to sell on. Just pieces that she loved more than anything.

     Maybe the intention to paint was lost for now but she didn't care. She enjoyed, instead, reliving those memories. Her fingers running over the paint as she admired her past artwork. The first one she picked up was the one she'd been working on when her and Obi-Wan kissed for the first time. Her first kiss with her first and only love. It seemed like such a foreign idea now but she had never sold this painting. It held too much happiness for her to do that.

     She placed it to the side after a moment and instead began to look through all the different canvases. Various pictures. Some were much darker and showed the night life of Mith. Some were based on pictures, some were based on people and some were based on her own thoughts and ideas. Either way she adored them all in her own way. All of them held some sentiment hence why they still cluttered up the space.

     Just as she reached the end of the first pile of canvases, she found a painting. One she had completely forgotten she had even done with all the years that had passed by since it was first painted. It had been so long but there was something about it that she loved even if the detailing was a little amateur and the colours were all just slightly-off.

     Obi-Wan Kenobi. A padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi with a book in his hand and his hand in his mouth. He was chewing on his nails, a bad habit he'd had as a teenager but seemingly had grown out of as he grew older based on his perfectly manicured nails. But she had captured him almost perfectly in the painting.

     The sunlight poured out the window and lit up some of his face. The shadows were somewhat accurate and she had managed to do something that she hadn't been able to recreate in a long time but she was happy with the painting nonetheless. She always would be happy with it.

     She picked up the painting and stood, walking back to the windowsill where he would have been sitting when she painted it. She placed it against the windowsill, making a mental note that maybe she should keep it to show him later. She didn't know if he knew it existed but she wanted him to see. Some selfish part of her hoped it would remind him of what they had and it could be like that again. But she squashed those thoughts before they grew into something bigger.

     Though then the realisation that maybe he didn't want to know or see it came to mind. He was being dismissive enough and bringing up their teenage years might only make it worse. Plus she had just left the house and not told anyone. She doubted that he was happy with her for that. She was just surprised he hadn't come to find her yet. He was usually so on the ball with her disappearances.

     And as if the universe could hear her thoughts, she heard a bang on the door of her studio. Turning around on her feet, she walked over to the door and pulled it open. She crossed the small kitchenette and living area to the front door. Her hand rested on the keypad for a moment before she quickly tapped in the key code letting it slide open. A panicked and slightly worried Obi-Wan was on the other side and when he saw her, he let out a soft sigh.

     "Why did you leave? You shouldn't have left. Especially since you were alone?" He said quickly, giving her little time to give an explanation. He was just relieved to see her as she allowed him into the studio. There was no way she was going to leave the studio now so they might as well just sit in there together for a little bit. Phoenix shrugged as she closed the door behind her. The painting was still on the windowsill and as she walked back into the painting studio, he noticed it almost instantly. But didn't comment. Just stared for a long moment before turning his head back to her.

     "I just wanted some alone time. I feel suffocated, Obi-Wan," She said as she walked over to the easel that already had a blank canvas left on it from before she had left. She knew that when she'd return, she would most likely need a creative output and she was right but she needed it for entirely different reasons than she at first suspected.

     "You could have been killed and I wouldn't have been able to do anything," He said and Phoenix shrugged. She knew that was not the right thing to do but her alone time was more important to her. She had spent the last few days being suffocated by him and the thoughts of going home. She needed a breather and she'd had that but it had been cut short.

     "I just needed some time to look after myself. Do you not understand that?" She muttered as she moved away from him. Her hands resting by her sides as she grabbed her small painter's stool. She needed to just sit and think over her painting before she got started. Not that she would be able to get started, not with him breathing over her shoulder.

     "I understand but you need to be careful. I just don't want you to die. It would break a lot of people's hearts," He responded and she looked up at him. Desperately wanting to hear him say, including mine. But those words didn't come out of his mouth, those fateful words didn't fall from his lips. Instead she was just staring at him and they were watching each other.

     "Well, maybe it would be better. Jax thinks I'm a bad Senator as it is and my father hates me. I killed his wife," Phoenix muttered as she grabbed her pencil. She then stood and began to sketch, deciding to just try and do it. Obi-Wan be damned, she wanted to just try and do this painting. Even if it was just to calm her mind.

     "Your father loves you. More than he has loved anyone. He is concerned for you and wants you to be happy. Whatever Jax said was a lie. You have done what you can with the cards that you were handed. You've done well considering where you started," Obi-Wan said as he walked closer to her. He knew that he shouldn't get into this. It was not his place to get into this topic but he had heard Brendaen's thoughts and he had nothing but admiration for his daughter. Obi-Wan just wished Phoenix could understand that.

     "If Jax's sister had become the Senator, our people would be better off and he wouldn't have had to suffer through our engagement," Phoenix shrugged as she continued to scribble the basic sketch onto the canvas. Obi-Wan just watched her for a moment, shaking his head before he rubbed his face with his hands. They then dropped and he looked at her. His gaze steely as he stared at the back of her head.

     "If Jax's sister had become the Senator, the deals would have been made quicker but they would most likely have been worse off. You fought hard for your people and got them the best deal that you could. You have done better than she ever could and Jax chose to become engaged to you." Obi-Wan responded as he watched her. He moved to sit down on the edge of the windowsill, gently shaking her head before he then leant back. His head rested against the glass as he exhaled heavily.

     "You don't know that," She muttered as she finished the rough sketch. Then she leant over and began to squirt paint onto her palette, a soft sigh escaping her lips. She didn't want to get into this further but she already knew that he would try and make her feel better. Not that he could. Not with how he'd been acting. Not with how her father had treated her. She did not want to talk about it. She didn't want to talk about anything.

     "Do you want takeout? If that place we used to go to is still open, I could run down and get us something," Obi-Wan suggested after a long drawn out silence. He sat up and looked over at her. Phoenix's eyebrows pulled together in concentration as she began to paint over the sketches to add more detail. The underlying surprise evident in her mind as Obi-Wan watched her for a response. It was quiet for a moment before she nodded.

     "Yeah, it's still open. Same place, same street. Do you remember what I used to get?" Phoenix asked as she glanced past the canvas to him. Obi-Wan's smile grew a little wider and he nodded. He could remember like it was yesterday. With that, she smiled back at him and he left the studio. Leaving her alone to have her peace for a little bit longer. He knew that she needed it and he was happy to offer it. He just had to make sure she would be safe and she was safe as far as he could tell. The apartment complex was secure.

     It left her a little worried that he had left her alone. What if she was attacked? Nobody was there to help her and she was in no shape to fight anyone. But she tried to push those thoughts away. She'd be alone and safe for the past hour or so. Another half an hour would be nothing. She would be totally and completely fine.

     And she was, he returned not long after with the takeaway in hand. A smile on his face. The takeaway smelt delicious, as it always did and Phoenix was ready to devour the greasy food. She was already feeling like that teenager in love with Obi-Wan all over again. It felt like no time had passed but it had. His hair was styled differently, the beard had grown out and the crinkles by his eyes had become more obvious as he grew up.

     She placed her paintbrush and palette down as she looked up at him. He was smiling happily, holding the bag by his side as the pair walked over to the window seat. Phoenix sat down, her legs crossed as she got comfortable within the cushions. Her hands moved the painting to lean against the wall rather than on the seat so they could both sit comfortably like they used to. She then opened the window by the latch, allowing the cold air to blow through the room and cool it down.

     "I feel like a Padawan again," Obi-Wan chuckled as he sat down across from her. Placing the bag between them. Phoenix was quick to open it and grab her food from within. She had been craving a takeaway for weeks and was glad to finally be able to get it. Being able to sit and talk with Obi-Wan while she did it was also making her feel so happy and good. It was strange to be around him and doing what they once did every week.

     "I feel like a teenager again but I definitely do not fit in this seat as well as I used to. My dress is too dramatic," Phoenix chuckled as she tried to push down on her dress to make it less puffy. It didn't work but she tried her best. Obi-Wan chuckled at her and grabbed his fries, popping one into his mouth as he leant back against the wall.

     "You don't really need to wear those dresses now. You're home," He commented and Phoenix nodded. She pressed it down again and then began to eat her own fries. Humming as she looked outside the window, watching the city. The hover cars flying through the air heading in various directions.

     "That's true. I'll have some conferences over comms though and I'll need to look just as dramatic," Phoenix responded as she turned her gaze back to him. Obi-Wan staring back at her with a completely adoring look. His eyes sparkling in the sunlight as his smile grew. He had forgotten how nice it was just to relax around someone that he trusted.

     "Yeah but it's not for another few days so you can relax. You can paint all you want. It'll be like when we were teenagers all over again." He said, his smile widening. Phoenix nodded and took another bite of her fries before she glanced over at the painting that was now resting against the wall.

     "I doubt I'll paint you this time, though," She commented and he chuckled. He followed her gaze and looked at the painting properly this time. It had been no more than a passing glance when he looked half an hour earlier but now he was properly looking at it. It wasn't as good as her most recent ones but the amount of detail that was in it, was beyond him. He didn't know how she did it.

     "I don't think I would mind if you did. I know you drew me in that sketchbook," He confessed as he looked at her. Phoenix's head snapped to him and her mouth hung open just a little bit. How did he even know? Had he seen? She just couldn't believe he had seen. It must have looked creepy, she hated that he knew. The heat crawling up her cheeks as she chuckled, trying to play it off as she ate a few more chips.

     "I'm sorry... I just... I like to draw things I'm familiar with and..." Phoenix trailed off unsure of how to adequately explain her actions. She was currently stuck with just admitting to the real reason or trying to excuse herself. But the soft smile on Obi-Wan's lips told her everything. He didn't mind and he didn't really care for the reason she had drawn him. Obi-Wan found it to be a compliment.

     "I'm not going to judge you for drawing me." He said as he looked into her eyes, "I know why you did it and I'm not going to shout or complain at you. It's up to you what you draw and I'm honoured for you to have picked me," He smiled widely, a hint of cockiness to his tone. Clearly he was trying to comfort her and it worked well. Her shoulders relaxing as she went back to eating her fries, her gaze turning to look out the window. The clouds slowly moving across the sky and making different swirling and strange patterns.

     Obi-Wan just watched her as he began to eat his wrap. His eyes admiring her body and face. Taking in every small detail and memorising her completely. He would have to leave soon enough. Once the assassin had been caught then he would leave her and it was unlikely they would see each other. At least he had a little more time with her now.

     "Do you ever wonder what would have happened if you didn't leave?" Phoenix asked, breaking the long minutes of silence as they ate comfortably. The question made Obi-Wan's eyebrows pull together for a moment before he realised what she was asking. He didn't even know what to say to that sort of question. His hand rested on his thigh and he looked at her for a long moment.

     "I don't know... I thought about it when I had just left... I guess many things could have changed but there's no point thinking about the could have beens," He muttered wanting desperately to avoid the question. He didn't want to spill his guts and admit to her everything he had dreamt and thought of doing after he had left her alone on Mith. He had wanted nothing more than to leave to Order and find her, live with her and marry her but that was a fantasy. He couldn't. He had an obligation to the galaxy.

     "Sorry, I didn't mean to pry or make you uncomfortable," She responded, the frown spreading across her lips. Phoenix cleared her throat, threw a smile onto her face as a replacement before she stood up. She was half-done with her food but wanted to go back to her painting just to make herself feel a little better. Distract her from those thoughts brewing in her head. They were desperately trying to claw themselves into the light and make themselves known but she was pushing them back, keeping them locked away.

     Obi-Wan cleared his throat behind her and then stood up, gently taking her hand. She turned her head around to look at him and he smiled. He then took a step closer to her. His hand cupping her cheek and he looked into her eyes. The confusion evident in her eyes as she stared at him. He didn't want to look at her too long in case he changed his mind. Instead, he cupped her cheeks with his hands and kissed her passionately. One of his hands sliding down to her waist and the other stayed resting on her cheek.

     Phoenix didn't know how to react at first but was quick to slide one hand to his bearded cheek. Her fingers ran through it before it landed in his hair, using her hand to pull him closer. Adding more passion to the kiss as she stood on her tiptoes in an attempt to be at the same height as him.

     It wasn't long before they pulled away. Panting softly as she looked into his eyes. His arms wrapped around her waist and he pulled her against his chest. Her head resting on him and he smiled softly. Peppering kisses onto her hair as he kept her close. His eyes closing as he just enjoyed her presence.

     "Obi-Wan," Phoenix said, the nervosity was evident in her voice as she pulled away from him. She heard a soft blaster click and her mind jumped. What was about to happen? Who was in the room with them? Obi-Wan saw the anxiety and felt the worry. He looked into her eyes, trying to look like they were still wrapped up in the moment.

     "Where did the sound come from?" Obi-Wan asked, his words flowing directly into her head. At first, it confused Phoenix and she looked at him with her eyebrows pulled together. He smiled reassuringly, his hand moving to gently stroke her cheek as he leant down and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. The force, they were speaking through the Force. Or he was speaking to her through the Force was probably a more accurate way of saying it.

     She stood there for a moment, trying to remember where it came from. What side of the room. She wasn't entirely sure herself but it sounded like it had come from near the door which would make the most sense since they probably walked in while she was painting. There was also a stack of boxes that someone could easily hide behind and she would never have actually noticed. Obi-Wan clearly recognised her train of thought and pressed a kiss to her head.

     He walked over towards the boxes, his hand hovering over his lightsaber and Phoenix moved to hide behind the easel. She knew that this could get dangerous and being shot really wasn't an option for her. There was a click of a weapon and then a punch. A whimper of pain and Phoenix's head darted out to see who was there. The platinum blonde had got into Mith without being detected.

     "Your Jedi can't save you now," She taunted, gesturing to Obi-Wan's passed out form. She then began to advance on Phoenix and she quickly came up with an idea. If she circled around to Obi-Wan's body, she could pick up the lightsaber. She didn't know how to use it but she definitely could try and use it to get the assassin away from her. Lightsabers were not something to come near if you could help it.

     So, Phoenix began to walk around, drawing the assassin out and arching into a circle so she could reach Obi-Wan. When she was close enough, she dashed and stood over his unconscious form. She then ducked down and grabbed his lightsaber off his belt. The assassin quickly firing her blaster which Phoenix narrowly dodged by ducking behind the boxes.

     Phoenix pulled the lightsaber up to her face as she tried to find the button that would turn it on. She held it so it was far away from her and pressed one of the buttons hoping it was the right one and it was. The big red button seemed to do the trick which she supposed made sense.

     The blue lightsaber felt heavy and strange in her hand. She didn't like holding it. It felt odd and weirdly violating holding Obi-Wan's weapon like it was her own but she had to do it. To protect herself. Obi-Wan had been knocked out even though he'd expected the attacker to be there.

     "Put the lightsaber down, whore. You don't even know how to use it," The blonde said as she lifted the blaster up. Aiming for Phoenix's face but the bolt ended up rebounding off the glowing lightsaber that Phoenix was barely able to hold up. It felt so heavy in her hand and she wondered how Obi-Wan was able to fight with it so effortlessly. She felt like she was going to topple over.

     "I do, I know how to slice you in half," Phoenix said, going for intimidating but instead she came off as scared and worried. Though that seemed to disappear when she saw the confident facade of her assassin drop. Maybe they did believe that she could harm them. Phoenix moved a step closer and waved the lightsaber rather carelessly in the assassin's direction. That was enough to make them stand back, "Leave or the next swing is at your head. Obi-Wan wouldn't leave me completely defenceless," Phoenix responded as she looked into the assassin's eyes. The blonde looked at Phoenix and then down at Obi-Wan who was beginning to wake up from his unconscious state. His eyes opening and then closing before fully opening upon seeing Phoenix wielding his lightsaber rather carelessly.

     "I'll kriffing get you, you careless whore. Your Jedi can't save you every time," The blonde said before walking towards the door and leaving out of it. Phoenix's heart was thumping in her chest and she felt like she had just escaped death. She had just saved herself for the first time and it felt strange to actually be the one saving someone for once. It was very strange and she quickly pressed the button on the lightsaber before dropping it to the floor. It felt wrong using it.

     "Are you okay?" The hoarse and croaky voice of Obi-Wan said as he pushed himself to sit up. Phoenix nodded and quickly moved to his side. She grabbed the lightsaber and passed it back to him before pressing a soft kiss to his temple where she assumed he was hit.

     "I'm fine. Is your head okay? What happened?" Phoenix asked softly as she cupped his cheeks. Obi-Wan sighed and leant into her touch, thinking it over. Trying to work out what had happened. What had happened with the assassin. He was surprised that Phoenix was still standing. He didn't know how he'd been so easily outmanoeuvred by the assassin. He was a Jedi for kriff's sake. He shouldn't have allowed himself to be fooled so easily and by an amateur no less.

     "She just ambushed me from behind. Knocked me on the head with the butt of her blaster. It's fine. Just a headache. We should get you home," Obi-Wan said as he looked into her eyes. Phoenix sighed but nodded, he was right. She really should go home and then just relax. Maybe taking a bath would be a good idea. A bath and then sleep. She needed to sleep in her own bed.

     "Let's go home then,"

***

𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑'𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄 ! so uh... the threat is still alive  and thrivving and phoenix kind of stood up for herself for the first time??  this was always something that was meant to happen since she is actually a very strong woman, she just fears things but yeah, she stood up and some more development of phoenix and obiiii which we love to see. i hope you enjoyed <3