A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...

He knelt beside the open trunk. Pushing aside some of his old journals, he revealed a cloth wrapped bundle. He carefully lifted the edge, revealing a lightsaber. Old pain misted his blue eyes, and he rewrapped the bundle. Anakin’s lightsaber. He shook his head. It wasn’t time for that, not yet. The boy, Luke, wasn’t old enough. He moved aside the bundle containing Anakin’s lightsaber, and there, beneath it, was what he had been looking for.

The cloth was finer, a myriad colored silk that changed hue as he lifted it from the trunk. He pulled back the fine fabric, revealing a slim black platform. About the size of a small book, he lifted it easily, setting it on the table and away from the cloth. He passed his hand over the glossy top, and a holo image appeared. Fresh pain misted his eyes.

She was beautiful. Long reddish brown hair fell past her waist. Twinkling eyes full of laughter. A smile tugged at her sensual mouth.

"Nylar," Obiwan breathed, his hand raised to touch her before remembering it was only a hologram. "Still so beautiful," he said softly, sadly, "after all these years." He shook his head slightly, then turned back to the other object that had been wrapped within the cloth. Slim and elegant, the lightsaber fit his palm easily. He glanced at the hologram of Nylar once more, and a wry smile curved his lips. He remembered this lightsaber in her hands...such graceful hands.

Nylar’s hands clenched around the silver tray. She drew in a steadying breath, struggling with the urge to smack Cantigua with it. Jedi or no, she thought with a smile, the hot soup on the tray would definitely scald.

Cantigua tugged on the chain leading to the silver collar around her neck. She glared at his back as he quickened his step. "Hurry, slave," his gravelly voice commanded, "our Mistress is waiting."

A scowl marred her features for a moment before she once more schooled her expression. "Yes, Master," she growled, smiling sweetly when he glared at her over his shoulder.

The wide double doors opened before them, and they stepped through. Nylar glanced at the guards flanking either side of the door, and rolled her eyes. Mostly muscle, and most of it showing, they ignored her completely as she followed Cantigua to the golden throne that dominated the room.

Evedra was draped over the throne. Her long dark hair flowed over her, only slightly pulled back from her face at the temples, held there by platinum hair pins. Her dark eyes flicked contemptuously over Nylar before settling on Cantigua. "Well, have you a new playmate, Cantigua?"

Nylar glared at Cantigua’s broad back as he replied, "No, my Mistress, we are bringing..."

He never had the chance to finish saying what they were bringing because a cloaked figure dropped easily to the floor between him and Evedra. Nylar staggered back, narrowly missing being stepped on as Cantigua jumped back. "Master Obiwan?" Cantigua asked with a trace of sarcasm, recovering quickly, and taking a step forward.

Nylar, still holding the tray, glanced around Cantigua, and her breath caught. With Obiwan’s back to Evedra, Nylar could see him clearly, and she looked her fill. His light brown hair looked as if he’d just run his fingers through it, quite deliciously mussed, she thought. His startling blue eyes bore into Cantigua, and she chanced a glance at his reaction.

Cantigua’s face was impassive, one black brow raised in query. "Master Obiwan, why are you here?"

"I’m here to bring you back before the Council. Charges have been raised that you are involved with Count Dooku and his insurrectionist droid army."

"My dear Jedi," Evedra purred, laying one delicate hand on Obiwan’s shoulder, "I’m sure you must be mistaken."

Nylar glared, hissing softly. Her knuckles shown white as she clenched the tray tightly.

Obiwan’s blue gaze never wavered from Cantigua. "There is no mistake," he said softly. He shrugged slightly, and his robes fell to the floor. Slowly, purposefully, he drew his lightsaber. It glowed blue and humming softly. "You’re coming with me, Cantigua."

"I think not, Master Obiwan," Cantigua said. In one fluid move, he shrugged out of his robes, drew his lightsaber, and leapt at Obiwan. It also glowed blue and hummed, until it connected with Obiwan’s lightsaber. Almost as if the lightsabers were hissing, they crackled, emitting sparks as the two Jedi stood face to face.

A slow grin spread over Obiwan’s face. "Think again." He shoved, and Cantigua jumped back, barely staggering.

Nylar sought safety against one wall, dropping the tray to the floor, and kneeling beside it. She avidly watched this contest, her eyes drawn again and again to this new Jedi. He moved fluidly, the lightsaber an extension of him as he thrust and parried. Slowly and steadily, he advanced on Cantigua.

Cantigua’s dark eyes darted around the throne room as he defended against Obiwan. "You’ve gained much skill, Obiwan," he said, sounding a little winded. "Perhaps your Padawan is training you. I hear he’s quite gifted."

"He is the Chosen One," Obiwan replied easily, not sounding winded or breathless at all, Nylar noticed. She smiled.

Nylar wasn’t sure how it happened. One moment, Cantigua was holding on...struggling, but holding on... she blinked, and Cantigua was on his back, Obiwan’s lightsaber slicing through him. "No!" she cried, not out of any affection for Cantigua, but for the sudden horror on Obiwan’s face.

"No!" Obiwan cried, his voice echoing Nylar’s. He deactivated his lightsaber, dropped to kneel beside Cantigua, who still breathed. "Cantigua, no!"

Cantigua drew a shuddering breath and smiled up at Obiwan. "Well played, Obiwan." He coughed, pain etching his features. "It wasn’t Dooku I fell to," he rasped, coughing once more. "Beware," he warned softly, and his dark eyes drifted shut.

"Master Jedi," Evedra purred, her delicate hand lightly stroked Obiwan’s shoulder. He looked up, his intense blue eyes meeting her dark ones.

Nylar growled low in her throat, her nails digging into her palms so hard, they drew blood. Breath hissing through her teeth, she watched Obiwan rise and leave with Evedra, her hand idly stroking his muscular shoulder. The guards flanking the doorway followed them out, leaving Nylar alone with Cantigua’s dead body.

She rose slowly. She wasn’t surprised at being forgotten. Evedra had a new prize in Obiwan, and Cantigua had been the only one to have really acknowledged her existence. Still, she warily eyed the doorway as she crept toward Cantigua. She looked down on her former master, her light brown eyes no longer despising. Perhaps it was pity she felt, even she wasn’t sure. Regardless, she bent, fumbled a moment at his belt, then retrieved the key to the collar around her neck. Swiftly, her fingers found the lock and opened it. Dropping the key, she massaged her neck for a moment before she remembered the lightsaber. Another wary glance at the doorway, then she picked it up and quickly rose. She’d taken a half step toward the door, before she paused. Her eyes fell on Obiwan’s cloak, laying forgotten not far away. She picked it up, held the fabric close, inhaling deeply of his scent. Her light brown eyes glowed for a moment, then she looked at the door. Slipping the robes on, she moved to the door. "Now to find him," she said softly. Her hand trembled a moment on the latch, then she opened the door, gliding easily through.

Obiwan wasn’t sure what woke him. He sat up quickly, then realized he was covered in only a sheet. Dimly sensing someone else in the room, he froze a moment before pulling the sheet closer around him. "Who’s there?" A shape materialized out of the shadows, and he frowned. She looked familiar. "I’ve seen you before."

Her light brown eyes regarded him curiously. Her long hair was bound in a braid that she tossed negligently over her shoulder as she sat on the edge of the bed beside him. Her voice was a soft melody that washed over him as she said, "I saw you in the throne room, when you fought Cantigua."

Cantigua...the name stirred his memory, then it became clear. Remembered horror flooded his features. "I killed Cantigua," Obiwan said.

She shook her head. "No, you didn’t." A scowl marred her well sculpted features. "Evedra did that."

Evedra. Another name that floated across the void his mind had become. He rubbed his temples. "What’s happened to me?"

Her touch was cool as she shooed his hands away and lightly massaged his temples. "It’s something Evedra does to all men unlucky enough to catch her attention."

Obiwan caught her wrists, and her light brown eyes met his blue ones. Ignoring the light shock that jolted through him, he demanded, "Who are you, and who is this Evedra you keep talking about?"

She smiled, and his breath caught. "I’m Nylar. I was brought here by my brother, who fell under Evedra’s spell." Remembered pain misted her eyes, and Obiwan lightly clasped her hands in his. She smiled gently, and continued, "When she tired of him, I was made slave to her newest toy, Cantigua."

"Cantigua..." Obiwan shook his head slightly, still desperate to clear the cobwebs. "I was sent to discover if he was working with Count Dooku."

Nylar shrugged. "Of that, I have no idea. And we don’t have much longer before Evedra discovers I’ve taken her newest prize."

"Newest prize?" Obiwan asked, bewildered.

She smiled, and his breath caught again. Nylar really was beautiful when she smiled. "You, Master Jedi."

"Me?!?!" He stood quickly, too quickly. The sheet covering him fell away.

They both froze.

Nylar’s gaze traveled the length of his body, then slowly back upward again. His body stirred in response, and she smiled up at him. "You are perfection, Master Jedi."

"Obiwan," he corrected, closing the distance between them, and pulling her to her feet. Looking deeply into her eyes, he said softly, "You are very beautiful...Nylar." He tasted her name on his tongue, and decided he liked it very much. She opened her mouth, and he decided to taste more as well. He bent his head, and brushed his lips lightly over hers. Another electric jolt, more powerful than before, raced through him, and he pulled her closer. Her body molded to his; her mouth opened under his. His tongue gently parted her lips, and he groaned as she kissed him back, her tongue tentatively touching his.

In a flash, she was out of his arms and across the room, her back against the wall. "You’re...you’re still...under...under Evedra’s spell," Nylar panted, her heart thundering in her ears. He moved closer, into a brighter patch of light, and she shut her eyes tightly. Her body hummed, hungering for him, and she struggled for control. It was what Evedra had done to him. He didn’t want her. Her eyes opened, and she steeled her resolve. He would want her, she decided.

Obiwan slowly closed the distance between them. "Nylar, why..."

Blue light flashed, and Cantigua’s lightsaber hummed in her hands. Obiwan froze. "Please, Obiwan," she begged softly, "don’t come any closer."

Obiwan didn’t move closer. His hands came up, rubbing his temples. His blue eyes met hers, then shut tightly. He groaned her name, reaching blindly for her before dropping hard to his knees.

Nylar deactivated the lightsaber and was at his side as he collapsed completely. She cradled his head in her lap. She gently brushed his brown hair off his forehead and softly vowed, "you will want me, Obiwan."

Obiwan blinked, groaning at the pounding in his head and blessing the near darkness that he found himself in. He sat up slowly, and several things happened at once. He remembered vividly Evedra’s throne room, battling with Cantigua, then Evedra leading him out of the room.

His brows drew together on a frown as he remembered what had happened next. Evedra had dined with him, and then...he shuddered, closing his eyes with a soft groan. He felt an urge to bathe. Evedra had used him, thoroughly.

He jumped up then, looking down at himself, sighing in relief at being dressed. He frowned again. How had... His blue eyes widened. Another memory...another woman... "Nylar," he breathed.

A soft moan filled his ears, and he looked to where he had lain. Nylar lay curled on her side, one hand stretched to where he had been. She was still sleeping, and apparently dreaming, he surmised, as she softly moaned his name.

His body responded, hardening painfully, as her body arched, reaching for him. He watched her wake then sit up when she realized he was no longer beside her. Her eyes found him quickly, and she smiled. His heartbeat quickened, and he struggled for control. She stretched, languorously and catlike, before getting to her feet. "I see Evedra’s spell has worn off."

He nodded curtly, "Apparently."

Still smiling, she closed the distance between them. "Are you ready to leave this place?" she asked, looking up into his eyes.

He returned her gaze, and ruthlessly shoved away his hunger. "Quite so."

Her eyes searched his for a long moment, then she nodded. "Fine then." She bent, scooped up his cloak - she had draped it over them to keep them warm while they slept, he realized - and tossed it at him. "Here, I believe this belongs to you."

Obiwan caught the cloak easily. As he slipped it on, her scent surrounded him, and he had a vivid memory of Nylar wearing this cloak, a lightsaber in her hands. "My lightsaber..."

She tossed it as well, having retrieved it from beside where they had lain. "Just so." Nylar strapped to her belt the lightsaber she’d taken from Cantigua, glancing at Obiwan over her shoulder. He closed his robes quickly, but she hadn’t missed his obvious arousal, he knew. He opened his mouth, but she overrode him, "I’ve seen you naked, Master Jedi. I bathed you, and dressed you, and tended you while you were incapable." She glanced at his now completely covered crotch, then back at his face. "You are perfection, Obiwan."

She’d said those words before. He’d been naked before her. She’d been wrapped in this cloak. He’d kissed her, and... "You kissed me back," he finished softly.

Nylar nodded. "That I did, Obiwan," she replied, slowly closing the distance between them. "And I stopped you as well."

"With Cantigua’s lightsaber," Obiwan remembered as she stopped in front of him, close enough to touch.

She nodded once more. "I knew you were still under Evedra’s spell...that it wasn’t really me you wanted. That it was only the spell she’d cast."

Staring down into the depths of her eyes, he knew he was lost. "That doesn’t explain now."

Heat flared in her eyes - molten honey, he thought - as she breathed, "Now?"

Obiwan took her hand, noting that she trembled nearly as much as he, and slipped it past the opening of his robes. He closed his eyes on a groan as her fingers curled as best they could around his erection before opening them again to stare intently into her eyes once more.

Drowning in the blue fires of his eyes, she dimly heard him whisper, "Now." Then his mouth was on hers, his tongue slipping easily past her parted lips to mate with hers. She sucked his tongue into her mouth, and he pulled her hard against him. She arched her hips against his, as hungry for him as he was for her.

Feverish hands made swift work of their clothes. Nylar lay back on one of the dresses she’d appropriated from Evedra. Made of the finest silks, it’s colors blending and varying hue with every moment, it also made the perfect bed. She opened her arms, and Obiwan went into them gladly, kissing her hungrily, his body covering hers. One knee parted her thighs, and she spread them eagerly, wrapping them around his waist. His mouth mated to hers, one smooth thrust, and he buried himself inside her. Shuddering hard, he pulled his mouth form hers. Their gazes locked, they whispered, "Home." Nylar shuddered beneath him, her hands on his back dragging him down, and Obiwan began to move.

They rode every wave, every crest, together. Their hearts found the same pounding rhythm as she took him deeper and deeper. Her nails raked down his back; his name a breathless groan on her lips as he moved faster, driving harder into her.

She wanted it to last forever. She wanted that light, that heat that she knew was so close. She strained for it, taking him with her. She arched up, so very close.

Then the light surrounded them. His name was a whispered litany on her lips as the light took her, consuming her, flooding her with his heat as he cried out her name, burying himself deep within her.

Later...

Holding Nylar back with one hand, Obiwan looked down. The hatch they’d found overlooked the hangar bay. It wouldn’t be a far drop, and he’d have her in his arms for a few more precious moments. Once they boarded a ship, there would be no more chances. He was a Jedi Master. Attachment was forbidden. If he wanted to remain a Jedi, he had to let her go.

If he wanted to remain a Jedi...

"There’s a likely ship," her breath washed over his ear as she spoke softly, pointing to one of the ships. "I think it’s my brother’s."

Obiwan’s gaze focused more on her hand than the ship until he shook himself. He’d get her to safety, and then... "And then," he whispered, unsure. He caught Nylar’s curious gaze, and shook his head slightly. "Let’s go then." He pulled her into his arms, and, breathing deeply of her scent, dropped to the hangar below.

He landed hard, losing his footing almost immediately, and falling to his back with Nylar sprawled on top of him. She raised herself off him, though still touching him, and, grinning, asked, "Another happy landing?"

Grinning, he gave her a small push, and gained his own footing easily. "I should never have told you about that business on Kail Moedran."

They had nearly reached the ship when a sultry voice said from behind them, "Well, hello there."

Obiwan and Nylar turned to find Evedra, flanked as usual by her muscular, semi-clad guards. She held out one delicate hand toward Obiwan, but he shook his head. "You hold no more power over me, Evedra."

Evedra’s gaze took in their closeness, how Obiwan stood protectively in front of Nylar, and gave a fatalistic shrug of one bare shoulder. "Pity," she said, dropping her hand.

Guards materialized seemingly from nowhere, advancing on them slowly, blasters drawn. Lightsabers in hand, Nylar and Obiwan stood for a moment back to back. Nylar took a deep breath, released it slowly, then said, "No matter what happens, I want you to take the ship and go."

Obiwan’s gaze darted to her, then to the closing circle of guards. "Never," he assured her. "You’re leaving here with me."

Ignoring the guards, Nylar spun Obiwan to face her, kissed him hard, and said, "Take the ship. I’ll find you." She kissed him again, quickly. "I’ll find you."

Obiwan had no time to protest. The guards were upon them. His lightsaber easily reflected the blasts, cutting down the guards that came too close as he slowly retreated toward the ship. He wasn’t sure when it was that Nylar had left his side, but he glanced through a gap of guards, and found Nylar making a steady path to Evedra. "No!!!" Obiwan yelled, fighting the tide now to join her.

Hearing him, Nylar looked over her shoulder. "I’ll find you!!" she yelled over the din. Seeing the grim set of his features, she knew he’d heard her.

Evedra had heard her as well. "I’m afraid you won’t have a chance, slave girl," she said. Her blaster caught Nylar in the side, spinning her to face Evedra.

Nylar’s eyes glowed. "It’s finally down to you and me." She glanced once more over her shoulder, saw that Obiwan had gained the ship and was firing it’s gun turrets even as he was readying the ship for takeoff.

Nylar turned back to Evedra. Her smile was full of malice. No guards stood between them now. "Just you...and me."

Evedra realized the absence of guards, and, firing blindly at Nylar, retreated through the hangar door.

Ignoring the pain in her side from where she’d been hit by Nylar’s blaster, she sped after her former mistress, diving through the closing hangar door, her lightsaber in hand.

Obiwan watched helplessly through the viewport as Nylar disappeared after Evedra. "I’ll find you," he promised, blasting open the closed hangar doors, and flying the ship through them.

The suns of Tatooine had almost completely set. Obiwan stared at the hologram of Nylar. He’d reached the first major system he could, also on the Outer Rim, and had immediately been drawn into battle with Count Dooku once more. Losing Dooku, again, Obiwan had gone back for Nylar, but she hadn’t been there. Evedra was dead, he’d discovered; the men she’d enslaved had taken the remaining ships and presumably returned to where they’d come from. In the small storage room they’d shared so much so briefly, Obiwan had found this small bundle. He pushed another button on the small black platform, and, as he had done many times over the years, he listened again as Nylar spoke, "Beloved Obiwan, I waited as long as I could for you. Now, I’m off to find you. I’ve left this here in case you do make it back here. Cantigua’s lightsaber is now yours. I’m no Jedi, I have no right to it." She smiled then, a mischievous smile. "I’ve found other weapons better suited to me." Her smile turned sad. "Until we meet again, Obiwan." She paused, seemingly taking a deep breath, then, "I love you." The image flickered then was gone.

He held the length of silk in his hands, running it slowly through his fingers. He remembered her in the gown, and on it, beneath him. He smiled sadly. "And I love you...Nylar."

A sound in the doorway drew his attention. Cursing his musings, he rose to his feet, drew his lightsaber, and faced the doorway. A cloaked figure stood in the doorway, silhouetted by the setting sun. "Who..."

"It would seem I’ve finally found you, Master Jedi."

The lightsaber extinguished and dropped from his suddenly nerveless fingers. It couldn’t be. "Nylar?" he breathed, taking one slow step forward.

The hood was drawn back, revealing a face he remembered well. Time had barely touched her beloved features, Obiwan observed, though her hair was speckled with gray. "So it is, Obiwan." Her smile was warm, and her eyes glowed.

Each stepped forward, closing the distance between them until they were a breath apart. Obiwan raised trembling hands to slowly cup Nylar’s face. "I came back for you."

"I knew you would," she replied, her equally trembling hands running lightly over him, stopping at his waist. Her eyes raised to his. "I still love you, Obiwan," she said softly.

He stared deep into her eyes. Attachment was forbidden among the Jedi. He’d seen for himself, with Anakin, how love affected the Jedi.

But the Jedi were no more. He was the last. And the woman who’d held his heart for so long was once more in his arms. "And I love you, Nylar," he replied, just as softly. He bent his head, kissing her gently, sweetly.

She held him close, kissing him back with all her heart as darkness fell around them. The twin suns of Tatooine had finally set.

The End

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