Phoenix's eyes fluttered open as she let out a soft groan, rolling over into the body of Obi-Wan. He was flat out asleep next to her and when she blinked a few times, she realised that it was night. They hadn't been going for that long, she couldn't really remember when she fell asleep either. All she could remember was the pleasure and the happiness she felt. She had him and they had confessed their love for each other. It made her feel giddy, like a teenager. She still felt giddy.

     But she could feel the sweat sticking to her body after their session. A shower would be good but she quickly realised she had something to do. Pushing herself to sit up, she quickly felt the wet between her legs. Did they not clean up? A soft sigh escaped her lips before she slid off the bed. She pressed a kiss to Obi-Wan's sweaty forehead before she disappeared to the bathroom to get ready to go out and to clean herself up.

     It had been a long time since she'd had sex with anyone and enjoyed it as much as she enjoyed it with Obi-Wan. It was always something else with him, she didn't know if that was because of his Force or something else entirely but it was always more enjoyable. However, she wasn't going to allow herself to get distracted by the thoughts of him right now. She had a job to do. She had an assassin to catch and while he was distracted, she was going to get the job done.

     She walked out of the bathroom in some decent fighting clothes a few moments later. She was at least modest now rather than walking around naked. She glanced at Obi-Wan who seemed to still be sleeping peacefully. A smile appeared on her face as she admired him from afar. He had rolled over now. His face pressed into the pillow, his hair falling over his face. He looked peaceful, sleepy and completely adorable. Then she reminded herself of what she was doing and left the room.

     The house was quiet and she could hear her father in his study which meant she would probably be safe as long as she avoided the creaky steps. She didn't want any questions from her father who always seemed to want to make some sort of comment about how she conducted herself. Especially with the most recent events, she wouldn't surprised if he lectured her until Obi-Wan woke up. That would certainly ruin her plans.

     The second she was out of the house, she felt the relief flood over her chest. Pulling out her datapad, she ordered a taxi and checked the time. It was late evening which was the perfect time to try and draw the assassin out to get her. So when the hover-taxi appeared, she jumped in and asked to be taking to a sleazier bar in the inner city. If she was in a bad part of town, she was more likely to attract the assassins attention. She just hoped that the girl wasn't stupid enough to realise what Phoenix was trying.

     Watching the city buildings grow taller as they moved further through, her apprehension grew. She knew that this was probably a bad idea and it could only end in disaster but she was still determined to do it. It was the only way she could do this. It would mean that they could finally get the assassin. She could be free or she would be dead though that thought was quickly squashed. She was going to live through this. She could fight. She had nearly beat Obi-Wan in a duel. She was capable of handling herself and she had to prove herself. To her people, to Obi-Wan and she had to protect her position.

     Once the taxi had arrived at the bar, she paid the driver and got out. But not before the driver asked a question. It made her stop and try and come up with an answer. She eventually stuttered something out, mainly an excuse. She didn't want to get a bad name. The Senator coming to the sleazy part of town was never a good look but she knew that it would only be a matter of time before the news came out that she had caught the assassin. Then it would make sense.

     So she got out and looked around the street. Pushing her hair behind her ear, she turned and began to walk across the dura-concrete. Heading towards a bar she was more familiar with due to the odd friends she hung around with during her high school years (after Obi-Wan had left). It was still as sleazy from what she could tell from the outside and when she went inside, it was confirmed. The walls were dirty, stained. It smelt like smoke and cheap alcohol. The distinct smell of the bar made Phoenix's eyes water as she walked towards the bar. It was run-down, rough around the edges and dirty. Everywhere was dirty but she tried to ignore it. She sat down.

     A drink and then Phoenix walked to a different bar. That bar was almost exactly the same, mirroring the first one almost exactly. The only difference was the patrons and the paintings on the walls. She made it seem like she was killing time before meeting somebody. That what she needed to do. So as she sat down, she continued to check her datapad at regular intervals. Ignoring the others around her and just drinking her drink. It was around half an hour that she decided to move on. Made herself look frustrated and walk to another place. Then she could hopefully spot someone following her.

     It wasn't long until she had left the bar that she noticed a shadow stretching in front of her. A shadow that was not her own. Successfully, Phoenix had managed to lure the assassin in. She didn't know how she had managed to get so lucky but she had. It was strange that only a few hours ago she was making love to Obi-Wan. Now, she was directly disobeying everything he wanted for her. She was risking her life and what for? For nothing. She was risking her life for her people and position. She didn't know if she was noble or stupid but it was certainly one of them.

    Taking a step into an alleyway, she checked her datapad as if she was waiting for a message. She then stopped further down the alleyway, tutting to herself and she watched as the shadow just behind her stayed completely still. A smirk spreading across Phoenix's lips as she slid her datapad into her pocket. She could take this assassin on, surely.

     CRASH!

     Phoenix shrieked and ducked down. The blaster bolt barely missed her head as the garbage next to her toppled over. What had fallen? What had moved and kicked it? The noises were too much for her head and she couldn't quite concentrate on one thing.

     Then she felt someone kick her. Her body slumping forward and she was back to reality. Her palms pressed against the alley floor before she pushed herself up. Her hands scuffed from the shattered glass on the floor. She swivelled to face that assassin that was holding a blaster to her head. A smirk spread across Phoenix's face. She had got the assassin right where she wanted her. In the middle of a dark alleyway with barely any visibility. Phoenix had done plenty of training in the dark. It was how her father preferred to teach her so that meant she was prepared for anything.

     "Lovely to see you again," Phoenix said in mock formality. The assassin scoffed and pressed the cold metal of the blaster against her head harder. Giving Phoenix an unnecessary reminder of it's presence. Phoenix rolled her eyes, taking a step back which the assassin allowed her to take. Phoenix smiled and let her hands rest against her sides.

     "I'm gonna blast your brains out," The assassins responded. An attempt at formality was made but the threat was too vulgar for it to sound half-decent. It made Phoenix chuckle and she gently shook her head, glancing down at the floor before meeting the assassin's gaze. There was a lot that this assassin had to learn, clearly, not that she would get the time to do it.

     "I know who hired you. Your master is my ex-fiance. I really dodged a bullet with that one, huh?" Phoenix joked, trying not to let the assassin know that she had a knife in her pocket. A throwing knife that she was ready to throw at any moment. The blonde hadn't been smart enough to wear her mask or proper suit today. She was wearing similar clothes to Phoenix, clothes that meant she could easily be wounded, hurt, stabbed.

     "My master is better off without you. You're worthless scum," The assassin responded. Her teeth gritted and there was something raging in her eyes. Something that took Phoenix a moment to recognise. Jealousy. Raging jealousy. That was certainly a feeling that Phoenix understood but who was the assassin jealous of? It couldn't be her, surely.

     "Thank you. Now, if I'm such worthless scum. Don't you think your master would have fun torturing me?" Phoenix asked and that seemed to make the girl falter. She considered it and that moment of Phoenix was when Phoenix struck. Her hand reached out for the blaster and twisted it out of the assassin's grip. Now, it was pointed at the blonde's head, "Never lose focus," Phoenix said, her tone mocking as she looked into the girl's eyes. That was too easy, surely. It was so easy to overpower her and make her fail. Why was it so easy?

     Then two hands. One wrapped around her stomach, the other around her neck. The breathe on her neck and the way the fingers curled around her throat. It was so familiar and she hated it. It was the same man. The one that had attacked her on the first night. Why was he here? Why was he here now?

     "She might be an amateur but I'm certainly not, pretty girl," He whispered in her ear. Phoenix was trembling under his hold already and her eyes squeezed shut. Her fingers going lose around the blaster which the girl was quick to steal back. Scoffing and glaring at Phoenix before shaking her head and stepping back.

     "You know what Master said. He said kill her, you're not allowed to do anything," The girl commented, a hint of disgust in her tone before she lifted the blaster back up towards Phoenix. The man rolled his eyes and gripped her throat tighter. It made Phoenix squirm. She wanted to leave, she needed to leave. Why had she let this happen? Why didn't she think of this? Of course she wouldn't be alone. She hadn't been alone for most of the attacks. The person outside the window had been him, that's why she had so easily escaped. Phoenix couldn't help but feel stupid.

     "You're lucky that our Master still cares about you even a shred. Otherwise I would not be so kind," The man said as his hand moved from her stomach further up to her chest. Phoenix then squirmed and kicked out, crying out. Trying to have him get his hands off her. She wouldn't let this happen. She couldn't let this happen. She wanted to get the knife out but when she attempted to, it clattered to the floor of the alley. A dark chuckle leaving his lips as he kicked the knife with his toe. His grip loosening ever so slightly.

     "Get off me, you pig!" She said, panic in her tone as she tried her best to elbow him but his hand only re-tightened. Cutting the oxygen off as she gasped and clawed at his hand. His thick fingers moved to grab her hands, prying them away from him as he chuckled. His smirk widening as he looked down at his friend. She just looked indifferent. Too bothered about the blaster to give a damn about Phoenix or what the man was doing to her.

     "You'll need to get my datapad to contact Master. I left it at the bar," The man said to the younger girl. She looked up at him, cocking an eyebrow before her head tilted. Phoenix squealing and squirming as she felt more and more lightheaded. Her head felt like it was exploding. She couldn't even think straight but all she could think about was that disgusting man's hands on her chest. Touching her where Obi-Wan had not even a few hours earlier. It made her skin crawl.

     "Don't fucking do anything," The girl spat before she then walked away. The man chuckled and then moved to shove Phoenix against the alley wall. Phoenix kicked and screamed out but her screams were cut off by his hand. Her glare on him as she tried to knee him but nothing would work. Nothing could work against him. He was taller than her, stronger than. He was taller and stronger than even Obi-Wan and she could barely knock him down.

     His free hand moved to caress down her waist. His leg keeping her pinned against the wall as he admired her. He was muttering about her being such a pretty girl and it was a shame that he couldn't have her as a pet. She wanted to scream at him to stop but she didn't. His hand was muffling everything she said and any retaliation would make it worse. She didn't want it to be any worse than this. Death would be more merciful than this but he was not merciful. His hands moved from her waist slowly upwards to squeeze her tits. His smirk widening as he let his fingers trace the outline of them in her shirt before his hand fell to rest against her thigh,

     However, suddenly, there was a loud smack and he slumped forward. His hands moved from her body, falling slack before his body collapsed sideways. Collapsing under the weight of himself and she looked around. Confused, relieved. Not quite understanding what had happened. That's when she saw Obi-Wan through the gloom. She could make out his exhausted, bearded face. The frown on his lips before he knelt down and handcuffed the man.

     Phoenix just watched, almost sure that this was just a dream. Just something that her mind had made up to deal with what was going to happen. Or maybe Obi-Wan was there but how did he know where she'd gone? How did he know where to find her? Why was he here? She had left him fast asleep on the bed and now he was arresting the assassins that were just about to murder and violate her. Her mind was too cluttered with thoughts for her to even be sure what was happening. If this was a dream or reality and as she stepped forward, she realised it was very much real. Surely it was. Had she survived? Obi-Wan had found her but still, her skin crawled. Her gaze flicking to the man for a moment.

     "Obi-Wan." She breathed softly and he looked back at her. It was only a moment of them watching each other before he hauled the man from the floor. Dragging him out of the alleyway where her father was already stood. The platinum blonde slung over his shoulder as he walked towards a police car. The two assassins were put inside and it drove off promptly after. Neither Obi-Wan nor her father accompanying it away. It almost confused her but she didn't question it. She just stood there, her skin crawling. Her body feeling violated. Everything felt so wrong and she just waited. Waited for someone to say something but nobody did.

     Instead, Brendaen ordered a hover-taxi for them and stood in silence. He looked unimpressed and irritated. Obi-Wan had a look on his face that she had never seen before. She didn't want to know what it meant but it made her gut twist with anxiety. She knew she had been stupid but that look. It made her feel like a misbehaving child.

     The ride home was silent as Phoenix stared out the window. Not a word was spoken between the three of them. Only quiet words when they reached home. Brendaen saying that he was going to bed. He needed it after the night he'd had. Phoenix watched him leave and rather than going upstairs, she left out the back door and sat in the garden. She could feel Obi-Wan watching her as she sat down in the grass. Her arms wrapping around herself as she stared down at it. His touch lingered and she wanted to scrub her body until it was red raw but at the same time, she didn't want to go near her house ever again. If she went into the house, she would be suffocated by their disappointment and anger. The reminder of his touch was better than their disappointment.

     "Come inside," The cold voice of Obi-Wan said as he walked over to her. His shadow looming in the moonlight. She didn't say anything and he reached out, touching her shoulder to urge her inside but she flinched. She moved away from him and he sighed.

     "Just go inside. You need the sleep," She muttered in response. Her head still hanging low as she picked at the grass. It was calming to just take it out on the grass. Take it out on the grass and then when he was asleep, she could scrub herself until she was clean. Until she didn't feel dirty and sinful anymore. She had to take care of herself without his scrutinising and watchful gaze.

     "So do you," He said, there was a soft edge to his voice now. He knelt down towards her and when he tried to reach out, she just pulled away a little. She didn't want him near her, not like this. He sighed and stood up. He hadn't seen enough to know what had happened but clearly, it was bothering her. He didn't know what to do, so he just allowed her to do what she needed.

     "Just go inside Obi-Wan," She said, a harshness to her tone that she never knew she could have. He sighed and left. Leaving her alone in the garden, sitting under the moon as she picked at the grass. Nothing had happened, nothing had happened but she still wanted to scrub her skin until it was gone. Until just the memories of him were gone. She shouldn't feel like this, he'd touched her in a few places, he'd done nothing to her. Nothing. But she was so afraid of what could have happened. What might still happen. She was a Senator but that didn't make her immune. Her family was kind and she had good friends but she was vulnerable. It could happen again and Obi-Wan might not be there to save her next time.

     Ten minutes later, after she saw the light of Obi-Wan's room flick out. She got up and she headed upstairs. Her mind still swirled with thoughts that felt far too loud. She walked into her room and to the bathroom. Turning the light on and getting into the shower. It took four washes and Phoenix scrubbing at her skin until her fingers had turned wrinkly and ached for her to feel even remotely satisfied with the cleanliness of her skin. She still felt dirty but she needed sleep. Her eyes were closing as she got into her pyjamas and the second her head hit the pillow. She fell asleep.

     But the sleep was not long lasting, she woke up in the middle of the night. Her throat felt like it was closing and it was as if someone was choking her. She gasped for air as she clawed at the sheets. Expecting someone to be over her and strangling her but nothing. Nobody. That didn't stop the feeling though. Her throat still felt like it was being squeezed. She was gasping, wheezing for breath as she sat up. Her hands clawing the sheets as she tried to get some sort of anchor to reality.

     The panic didn't seem to stop. All she could do is clutch to her blanket and try to breathe but it was impossible. The fear that she was going to die quickly set in once she realised she didn't have control over her own breathing. She didn't know what to do and she tried to get up off the bed but it was like she'd lost control of her limbs and they weren't moving. A sob escaped her lips beyond her own control. The tears streaming down her cheeks as she tried desperately to get her body to respond. She needed to stand up but before she could do any of that, her door opened. Obi-Wan was on the other side. The bags under his eyes and he stopped for a moment before he realised. Realised what was happening to her.

     He scrambled to her side and sat on the bed. Taking her hands. Her gaze flicking to him and she just sobbed again. She didn't know what to do, she couldn't do anything. She felt completely powerless. He pulled her closer and began to whisper in her ear. If she looked back on it, Phoenix wouldn't be able to remember what but they calmed her. His words made it easier to breathe and soon the fear of choking was gone. It was just replaced with an overwhelming sadness as she clung to Obi-Wan like he was the only thing keeping her alive. The fear of his anger and disappointment was still never-ending but his words made her feel less suffocated.

     Obi-Wan didn't know what to do but kept her close. Kept her with him and he stayed with her until she fell asleep. Then he stayed up, watching over her and making sure she didn't wake up panicked again. He could only guess what had happened to her but the still red raw skin and her panicked thoughts gave him an idea of what had truly happened to her. Why she didn't want to be near him. He knew he needed to tell Brendaen and he would, just in the morning and once Phoenix was feeling more stable and ready to talk about it with someone.

***