CHAPTER TEN.

Senate business was done for the day and as Padme and Phoenix walked out of their last meeting, Padme suggested they go out for drinks at the bar and Phoenix found it hard to deny Padme. They had both had long arduous days with multiple problematic Senators and needed a break from the hum-drum of the Senate. Phoenix glanced at Obi-Wan as she took her elaborate hairstyle down.

He had been watching the pair throughout their Senate sessions and he seemed happy to be around another familiar face in Padme. They had only exchanged a few words, formal greetings but Phoenix knew they were happy to have each other around. There was history there but Phoenix didn't ask, it wasn't her place.

"I have an obligation to protect Phoenix so I'm afraid I'll have to accompany you both," He explained as he looked between them. Phoenix nodded her head but part of her wanted to rebel, to tell him to leave them for the night. She was with another Senator and unless the assassins wanted to leave a witness, they wouldn't try to kill her.

Padme could sense Phoenix's indifference to Obi-Wan's presence so quickly interjected with, "He can protect us both. I've made my fair share of enemies so they could easily try and assassinate the both of us." She was ever the peacemaker and that made her many enemies in the Senate but also made her want to keep the peace between Phoenix and Obi-Wan. She was unaware of their history but could sense there was something.

"I will make myself discreet, Senator Vanda," Obi-Wan said, gesturing for them to go forward. Phoenix nodded and pushed her fingers through her hair before continuing to walk by Padme's side. The trio walked down the stairs towards the exit of the Senate and then leaving through the grand arch-doorways. They called a hover-taxi and they got in. The silence was thick with tension and once they got out, in the district necessary, Obi-Wan made himself discreet and Padme could talk more openly with Phoenix.

"What happened with Master Kenobi? I sense some tension between the two of you," Padme commented as the pair walked along the street. A small smirk spreading across the younger Senator's face. Padme had set her eyes on a classy but still cheap bar down the street that they were headed towards. Despite the less-than-ideal reputation of the district, Padme enjoyed frequenting it.

"There's nothing there. We were teenagers and young and dumb and in love. Then he broke my heart and we grew up. Nothing there anymore and I don't know if there ever was," Phoenix shrugged at Padme. The Senator raised an eyebrow at that, clearly not believing Phoenix. Padme always had the ability to tell when something was a lie. She had a strange and freaky ability that Phoenix wished she shared. It would make understanding Obi-Wan's intentions much easier.

"I don't think that's it. Why is he the one protecting you? Did you choose him?" Padme asked curiously and Phoenix was quick to scoff, shaking her head at even the suggestion of that. Despite her curiosity, Phoenix would never have intentionally chosen Obi-Wan. It put her whole life in jeopardy. The pair walked in through the entrance. The bar was classier than most on the street.

The walls were painted a deep red colour with wood accents. Booths covered the walls but they managed to look classy with faux wood tables and red seat coverings. Phoenix always thought the bar reminded her of home. The more natural approach was reminiscent of Mith's capital. There had been an insistence to remain true to the roots of the humans that inhabited the planet. The pair went up to the bar and sat next to each other on a pair of stools

"I wouldn't have chosen him even if I could have. His presence can be overbearing and our past is complicated. I have too much complication in my life. I would not try to add to it by enduring his presence," Phoenix explained as she glanced around the bar. Obi-Wan was sat in a booth on the far wall. It was enough out of sight that she wouldn't notice him but he had a good view of the entire bar. 

Her eyes surveyed the bar before she spotted the bartender. He was handsome, tall, dark shaggy hair and kind eyes. He noticed them waiting and walked over, a smile on his face. Padme seemed rather taken by him despite her attempts to hide that fact. They ordered their drinks. Padme got a Naboo wine, as she always would. They were strong wines but tasted delectable which she never failed to comment on. Phoenix decided on a cocktail. She let the bartender choose what as long as it was decently strong and tasted tropical. He went off to get both of them their drinks and Padme looked at Phoenix again, her gaze being pulled away from the bartender.

"Then who chose?" Padme asked curiously as she tapped her hands against the bar. Phoenix sighed and leaned back against the back of the stool. It was cushioned, a change from the harsh chairs in the Senate. Phoenix shrugged. Padme cocked an eyebrow, not quite believing that.

"It was Chancellor Palpatine but I don't know why he chose Obi-Wan. He just did. Palpatine doesn't know anything about either of us or our lives. I think it was just a random choice. I don't know." Phoenix explained. The fact that it was Obi-Wan made her think that there was more to the story but it could have simply been a coincidence. She didn't know. She genuinely didn't know and she wasn't going to assume. It wouldn't make sense for Palpatine to know anything about their history. He wasn't a mind reader and neither of them had any reason to tell him. Phoenix certainly hadn't. She couldn't see Obi-Wan ever doing so. It mustn't have been intentional.

"Well, it was a good random choice. Maybe you can dissolve your conflict. You're a Senator, Phoe. You should be able to make peace with him," Padme said. Phoenix stared at her. The pair of them both knew that she didn't only want them to dissolve the conflict. She wanted to see what would happen, what would come from it. Padme already had her own ideas. She knew what could happen, she just didn't know if Phoenix had the guts. There were clearly feelings that were left unspoken between Phoenix and Obi-Wan and Padme could see it as clear as day. Padme was perceptive if nothing else and Phoenix wasn't doing a good job at hiding anything.

"I don't need to dissolve our conflict. There is nothing left to discuss. I am just having to get used to his overbearing nature again. I know that I need to be more considerate since I called for help but when I did so, I didn't expect him of all people," Phoenix responded. The bartender came back a moment later with their drinks. He gave Padme her wine and placed Phoenix's cocktail down. He gave Padme a rather flirty look but Phoenix pretended not to notice.Instead, she picked up her cocktail. It was in a martini glass and was glowing a strange neon yellow colour. Phoenix looked at it with doubt before taking a sip and it was delicious. She couldn't pinpoint the flavour but whatever it was, it was amazing.

"Maybe you should start actually getting to know him. You've both changed and you're never going to get along if you don't get to know each other. You might realise you actually enjoy his company," Padme said, pulling her eyes away from the bartender. She took her glass of wine into her hand and took a sip with a small smirk on her face. Phoenix rolled her eyes and nudged her with her foot. Padme didn't say anything and instead, glanced over at Obi-Wan across the room. He was sitting at a table a few metres away and he could hear the entire conversation even if Phoenix had assumed he couldn't.

"We're too different. Always have been and he abandoned me, Padme. I trust he will do his job but he has never been the best at offering closure. I don't intend to get hurt again," Phoenix muttered, making her voice a little quieter. Padme looked at her and shook her head. Phoenix took another sip of her cocktail before she placed it on the bar again, "And it is not like I have to invest my time into him. He is my protector, I don't need anything more from him." Phoenix regretted the words the instant she had said them. She had shown her hand and Padme cocked an eyebrow.

"Phoenix, he is a Jedi," Padme retorted and Phoenix shrugged.

"That didn't stop him last time." Padme's jaw dropped and Phoenix smirked, taking another sip of her cocktail. She knew it was wrong to want his love again but maybe she did. She wasn't even sure.

"May I remind you, you are also engaged." That made Phoenix's face drop. For a second, she had truly forgotten about Jax. He was meant to be the love of her life and yet she had forgotten about him. Padme instantly noticed her change in expression and Phoenix let out a soft sigh. She rubbed her face with her hands.

"I thought tonight was supposed to be a girls night," Phoenix was quick to try and recover the conversation and her mistake. Padme could tell that she didn't want to talk about it any longer and so they moved the conversation away from the Jedi.

Obi-Wan had tried not to listen to the conversation but he had heard it all. He could see her facial expressions and he could feel how her emotions changed. Only on the surface level but it was odd. Her expression when she realised she had an obligation to someone already had made her sad, somehow. She was already with Jax. They were getting married in a few months and yet she seemed confused.

Phoenix, despite how she tried to move the conversation on, was still thinking about him. She was getting married, she could not be wondering about her feelings for a Jedi Master who had long since broken her heart to live out his life on Coruscant with not even a shred of contact with his first and likely only love.

She had spent so long, trying not to be hurt by the lack of communication. He had made it clear that they wouldn't be able to see each other or even talk when he left Mith but it hurt nonetheless. The wound it left had long since healed but the scar still remained.

-

Phoenix had gotten back from drinking in the early hours of the evening. She only had two cocktails so she felt fine. She was a heavyweight but her drive home with Obi-Wan by her side had been taken in awkward silence. The unsaid words drifted around them but remained unsaid. They both knew that they were waiting for the other to speak but neither wanted to. Neither wanted to face their feelings.

So once they reached the door to Phoenix's apartment, they exchanged quiet and quick goodnights and farewells before Phoenix walked inside. She discarded her heels by the door and then glanced up to see Jax sitting and waiting for her. A smile on his lips as he leant back in the armchair. He was clearly glad to see her.

"Did you enjoy your night out?" He teased as he stood up. Phoenix rolled her eyes at him and moved closer, her smile widened as she admired him. She was very lucky to have such a wonderful fiance, she knew she was. She tilted her head to the side, her smile slightly lop-sided and dopey.

"Yes, very much. Obi-Wan was there as usual but it was fine. Padme and I were gossipping the whole night," Phoenix smirked as she rested her head against his chest. Swaying with him as the moonlight poured in through the windows. His hands rested on her back as he looked into her eyes. He then pressed a kiss to her hair.

"Well as long as he's protecting you, there's no reason he shouldn't be there," Jax responded as he lifted her chin up, peppering a few soft kisses on her face. His presence made her feel more relaxed, the alcohol probably helped too but mainly it was just him. She had missed him and he made her feel so sure of everything. Obi-Wan made her confused but she wasn't going to think about him right now. She couldn't. It would make everything worse.

"I know. I need to finish strategizing for tomorrow's Senate duties but I'll be in bed soon," Phoenix finally said after a few moments of silence and just enjoying his comfort. She didn't want to leave his warm embrace but she needed to. Her duties were calling her and she couldn't discard them even if she was a little tipsy. Her tipsy writing was often better than her sober so she could take advantage of it.

"That's fine. I'll be in the bedroom, just shout for me or come get me if you need anything," He said pressing a kiss to her lips. It was a soft short sweet peck before he proceeded to walk away. Phoenix trudged to her study. Her feet felt so much better being out of her heels but her head throbbed slightly. A headache from the loud chatter of the bar.

The room was flooded with moonlight and left the study in an ethereal glow. A smile spread across her face as she admired it. But she was quick to turn the upper light on. Her head was already beginning to ache from her day's work at the Senate and the alcohol coursing through her veins and working in the dark would only make it worse.

She plopped herself down in her chair and collected everything she needed. Beginning to hum absentmindedly as she flipped through the pages trying to find what she wanted. Her fingers slipped up and down the page as she tapped her feet against the wooden floor.

The soft pattering of her bare toes hitting the floor was all that could be heard as she read over a page. Finally deciding what to write and she leant over and grabbed her holopad from the side. She opened a fresh document and tapped her fingers against the desk as she decided how to begin.

Speech-writing had become natural to her now so she didn't have to think about the structure too much. It was all in her head and it only took a second before she began to write. Humming to herself as she mulled over her thoughts and then just continued to write again. The speech pulled her in and made her forget the world around her. Her sole focus was on arguing her points.

Well, that was until the window in front of her smashed from the outside. The shards of glass rained down on her and she scrambled to get out of her seat, still managing to get cuts on her cheeks and hands from the shards. Then a blaster shot came, it just barely missed her head and she screamed, ducking out of sight underneath the desk.

Her breathing was hot and ragged and her hands were shaking as she covered her head with her hands. She didn't know what to do. Frozen to the spot as her thoughts ran away with her. She wasn't sure what time it was, if Obi-Wan was still outside, if Jax was awake. She could shout but she didn't know if they would hear. It was late but she wasn't sure how late.

She could feel the glass shards digging into the skin of her feet as she tried to control her breathing. There was complete silence in the room. Small cuts littered her hands as she tried to listen out for any more noises and then there was a thud. Someone had landed on her desk, she could feel it creak above her head. Her eyes squeezed shut as she pushed herself back against the wall. There was no pretending that this wasn't an attempt on her life now. So, she screamed as loud as she could.

Screaming Obi-Wan's name as she darted from where she was hiding across the room to the door. It was a leap of faith and she reached the door but couldn't get the door to open. The hooded assassin grabbed her by the shoulders and threw her backwards. Her back hit the edge of the desk and she cried out. Her body collapsed against the floor and when she opened her eyes, the black chunky boots of the assassin were walking toward her.

A blaster was in their right hand and she knew that if she didn't do something, she would be dead. She just didn't know what to do. She wasn't trained in this and Obi-Wan should have been here. She pushed herself to sit up and glanced around, searching for something to get. Something to defend herself with.

The chair was between her and the assassin and so, she grabbed the chair and shoved it forward. It collided with the assassin's leg but did very little. The hooded figure kicked it into the desk and Phoenix crawled backwards. Pain shot through her body as the glass pushed further into her hands.

But just as the assassin lifted the blaster to shoot her, the door burst open and Obi-Wan spotted Phoenix straight away, his eyes meeting the back of the assassin's head. He grabbed his lightsaber but the noise of it alerted the assassin to his presence. The hooded figure turned around and stared at Obi-Wan before she jumped onto the desk and jumped out of the window.

Phoenix watched as Obi-Wan jumped onto the desk, ready to go out of the window after the assassin but he stopped short. He let out a frustrated sigh before he put his lightsaber away. He glanced back at Phoenix and then out the window before he dropped from the desk and walked over to her.

He knelt down beside her and gently pulled her closer. His hands ran through her hair, fixing her part-in. Phoenix curled up against his chest, suddenly feeling so emotionally numb. She didn't know how to feel and she could still feel the adrenaline running through her body. Her hands were shaking as she pressed her face into his chest.

"Your fiance needs to take you to see the medics. Would you like me to get him?" Obi-Wan asked. His arm supported her back but he was refusing to touch her any other way. This was already too much. Phoenix nodded her head and moved away from him. Her head fell against the wall and Obi-Wan stood up, "He will be here in a moment." Phoenix nodded, covering her face with her hands.

-

NOTE; okay so another chapter!! i hope you all had a good holidays and are enjoying the story so far! the development of their relationship is slowly getting there and we have another attack which is obviously going to have some effects later on. i really hope y'all are enjoying the story and continue to read! any feedback is appreciated <3