His hair fell across his forehead just right, slightly ruffled from running her fingers through it. The candlelight created the perfect atmosphere, casting a soft glow across his features. He was even more beautiful now than when they'd first met all those years ago.

Satine must have been lost in thought for a moment because he asked, "What's wrong, my dear?"

"Nothing," Satine smiled, cupping his face in her hands, "nothing at all."

He kissed her, so tenderly that her knees felt weak. His hands moved from her waist to slide the straps of her dress off her shoulders. She shimmied out of it, letting the silky fabric fall to the floor, barely breaking the kiss.

He pulled his tunic over his head while she fumbled for the clasp on his pants, silently cursing the Jedi for choosing such an inefficient design. He laughed and helped her finish the job, then pulled her body close against his.

They kissed again, half walking, half falling back onto the bed.

*BRZZZ*BRZZZ*BRZZZ*

Satine groaned and waved her hand to silence the alarm. She rolled over and buried her face in the pillow for a long moment but it was morning and there was work to do.

Later, Satine sat at her desk sipping caf and trying to focus on the latest transmissions from home.

There was a chime at the door and she called out, "Come in."

"Good morning, Duchess," Obi-Wan entered, holding his own steaming cup of caf and a datapad.

"Good morning, General," Satine answered.

He crossed the small room and leaned over the desk to hand her the datapad, "Yesterday's security report. Everything is in order."

He was freshly showered and standing so close that she could faintly smell the soap he used. She glanced down at the datapad, sure she could feel her face flush.

"Thank you, General," she said. It had almost become a habit now, resorting to a cool professionalism whenever he got too close.

It was one thing when they were discussing politics or her vision for the future. It was almost too easy to get caught up in a heated debate. As much as she wished he could see things from her point of view, she had to admit that she enjoyed their back and forth, probably more than she should.

But when it's just the two of them, with nobody else around, no danger and no argument to distract them, that's when she felt like her defenses were as thin as flimsy. The slightest breeze and the palace walls would cave in.

"Let me refill that," Obi-Wan said, taking her cup, his fingers brushing hers.

She could barely look at him. The caf must have been very weak because she still felt like she must be half asleep. The images from her dream kept flitting through her mind.

She must have been quiet for too long because after he set her cup back on the desk he asked in a softer tone, "Satine, is something wrong?"

Hearing her name in his voice always made her stop short. Should she break and tell him everything?

"No, nothing's wrong. Thank you, General," she said with a little smile, perfectly composed once again.

"Then I'll leave you to it," he said politely, giving a small bow as he left. Ever the gentleman.

Satine watched the closed door for a long time, one thought running through her mind. I wonder if he ever dreams about me.