Disclaimer: This story includes excerpts of the movie Star Wars. The characters and idea of Star Wars is property of George Lucas. I'm borrowing the characters as respectfully as possible, simply to entertain myself and anyone willing to read this fanfiction.
AN; Yes, I am an Obi-wan/Padme shipper. I can't help it! I'd rather see Obi-wan find love then Anakin. The boy just isn't fit for it. Sorry!

Neither a Jedi nor a Handmaiden

"Hello!"

Padme stopped scrubbing the outer plate of the droid to look up and see who just greeted her. With his hand on the door the Gungan was hanging with his head in the door opening.

"Sorry. Whosa are yousa?"

With a small smile Padme observed her visitor. "My name is Padme."

"Mesa Jar Jar Binks," he said, stepping into the room.

R2D2 let out a few soft noises, and if Padme was not mistaken it sounded a lot like 'stand in the way'. Curious about the creature she opened the conversation with the very obvious.

"You're a Gungan, aren't you?"

Jar Jar nodded enthusiastically. "Aahaa"

"How did you end up here with us?" It did seem a bit odd that a Gungan, from a race that shuns most of the outside world, would now travel on a Nubian starship.

"My no know."

And the following explanation certainly didn't help. Starting with a brisk something, an explosion, grabbing a jedi and ending up here. 'Well, that certainly explains things. Although I probably know what the explosion means.' A suddenly flare of fear, pain and sadness ran through her. Quickly she clamped it down.

"Mesa getting bery, bery scared."

Padme couldn't help with smile a little at his peculiar way to speaking.

"Well, Jar Jar, at least you're safe for now."

The Gungan nodded. Suddenly a loud noise filled the room. A rumbling. Jar Jar smiled apologetically and rubbed a hand over his stomach.

"Sorry, issa time for munchies."

'Aah, so that is what he meant with munchies, food!'

"Go past that door, I'm sure you'll find something to eat in the galley."

"Okiday!"

She watched him saunter over to the other room, silently chuckling at the swagger in his steps. Everything about this creature seemed comical. She wondered if all of the Gungans were like him. Then she couldn't help but think what would happen to them if the Trade Federation would succeed in their plans. Again her insides twisted in fear. She turned her head when she heard steps coming towards her. When the figure entered the room all thoughts of comedy and fear fled her mind. For there was nothing comical or fearful about this young man. She caught herself holding her breath. Confused she tried to act normal again.

"Master jedi," she called out.

Obi-wan turned on the spot, having walked past her without a glance. "Yes, handmaiden?"

"How much longer until we reach the planet Master Jinn spoke of?"

"An hour or two, shouldn't take long."

Quickly she went back to scrubbing R2's plating. There was something about the jedi that made her feel completely at ease and relaxed. And that confused her and made her nervous. Trying to clear her head of such confusing and conflicting emotions she scrubbed a little harder. R2D2 let out a series of bleeps and whistles, once again expressing his gratitude on the fact he was being personally cleaned. In an instant the dirt on the droid's plating made her think of the destroyed buildings on Naboo, and with it the lives that had been lost in the invasion. For the umpteenth time her insides tightened, a cold and painful sensation trying to overthrow her. Suddenly her back felt incredibly warm, like a fire had been lit behind her. Her breath hitched, and her emotions softened.

"Quite a creative droid. Did you know he bypassed several systems to get the shields back up?"

She could have answered him sitting down, not stopping her activities. But for some unknown reason she stood up and turned. This effectively placed her face to face with the young jedi, a mere two feet between them. Her back felt oddly cold, whilst her face and front suddenly warmed considerably. She looked him right in the eye, suddenly noticing their exuberant color. Swallowing hard she managed to answer him.

"Yes" Her voice was just above a whisper, and she couldn't think of the reason why she had responded in such a way. But at the moment everything seemed to slow down. Everything around her quieted down, and she found herself basking in a pleasant warmth. Her mind was almost blank, and all she could think was how relaxed she felt. Slowly the feeling ebbed away, but if left her feeling better then before. More at peace.

"I'll let you return to your duties."

His foreign accent pulled her back to reality. Obi-wan made his first step past her but her voice stopped him.

"What is your name?"

He stopped. "Excuse me?"

Padme almost slapped her hand to her forehead. Why was she asking this of him? On the one hand she was interested in him, but this was hardly the time for it. But the moment he started to step away from her the peaceful feeling diminished, and she realized that out of a kind of desperation she wanted him to stay. She didn't want to lose that feeling.

"Your name, master jedi. What is your name?"

His smile made the skin along her spine tingle. "Obi-wan Kenobi. And you need not call me master jedi, I'm not a full knight yet."

She was compelled to smile in response. "Well you are a jedi to me. Obi-wan."

He nodded his head. Suddenly overcome with a feeling of shyness Padme ducked her head and halfheartedly ran her cleaning cloth over R2's top dome.

"Will you be alright in here, handmaiden?"

She snapped her head up, and looked at him with a small amount of confusion. The question was perfectly normal, but the tone of his voice made her wonder.

"What do you mean, Obi-wan?"

His face contorted a little, and she thought he looked a little uncomfortable.

"I…felt…that you were in pain, a bit overwhelmed with the situation. Do you wish someone to talk to, or will you be alright on your own?"

Normally she would have bristled at the implication she was weak and could not handle things, but the concern in his voice touched her.

"N…No, I'll be alright, jedi Kenobi."

His sudden laugh startled her a bit, but made her immediately breathe a whole lot easier.

"Obi-wan, please. Jedi Kenobi makes me sound…old."

A broad smile appeared on her face as well. "Very well, master jedi Kenobi." The teasing tone of her voice surprised her. I hardly know him and already tease him like he was one of my oldest friends, she thought.

Obi-wan raised a finger and waved it at her, warning her not to do it again. Which only made her grin even more. Spinning on his heels Obi-wan made his way to the door. Noticing he was about to leave Padme felt a slight panic, and quickly spoke up.

"Padme!"

The young jedi turned and looked at her with a curious expression on is face. "Padme?"

She had to concentrate to keep herself from stuttering. "My name is Padme."

For a moment he stood there, his eyes focusing on her. Their blue color was mixed with an indescribable hue of gray she found absolutely beautiful.

"Padme"

Her personal name rolled so easily off his tongue, she thought. So much more easily then her royal name. And it felt good to her. Giving her a final nod he turned again and left the room. With a small sigh she sat down again. Slowly she started cleaning R2D2 again. But her mind was wandering.

"Obi-wan…," she quietly said. For a moment he had made her forget about all the pain and troubles. Now he had left the room everything had come back to normal again, but deep down that wonderful feeling of peace remained. Her interest in the young man had now multiplied considerably, and she promised herself to get to know him, before it was too late.

- ∞ -

Obi-wan entered the small quarters assigned to him and Qui-gon. The Nubian cruiser was spacious enough to give everybody some space, but luxurious it wasn't. Which suited the jedi just fine. Luxury is not something a jedi needs. Although Obi-wan could appreciate rich surroundings and types of food only the wealthy could afford he usually preferred to have things simple. It allowed him to better connect to the Force.

Qui-gon was sitting on one of the retractable beds. His eyes were closed and he was sitting in a meditative stance. Quietly Obi-wan shrugged off his outer robe and pulled out his own bed. Crossing his legs he sat down exactly opposite to Qui-gon and also closed his eyes.

"All is ready, Obi-wan?"

Without moving or opening his eyes Obi-wan responded.

"Yes, master. Panaka was not at all pleased with the situation, but eventually he agreed."

"Good. I need you to check the hyperdrive as soon as we land."

"I will."

After a few silent moments Qui-gon frowned and opened his eyes. "Is there something wrong, padawan mine?"

Internally Obi-wan sighed. Sometimes the bond he had with Qui-gon allowed him very little privacy. He weighed his chances of hiding his questions or discussing them with his master.

"Tell me what's in your mind, Obi-wan."

'And there goes the first option…'

Obi-wan opened his eyes, placed his elbows on his knees and put his head on his hands.

"Master, is it wrong to use the Force to calm someone when they are distressed, even though they haven't asked for it?"

Qui-gon observed him for a moment. "It depends. Tell me what happened."

Obi-wan knew there would be no hiding this from his very perceptive master.

"One of the queen's handmaidens was cleaning the droid that repaired the shields, R2D2. She asked me when we would arrive on the planet. I responded and she went back to her cleaning. I was about to go on when I felt a great swell of fear and hurt course through her. I assumed it was because her home world was attacked and is currently occupied. And without hesitation I send her a soothing wave through the Force."

"And this concerns you, why?"

"She did not ask it of me, master. In a way I invaded her thoughts and privacy, and acted upon it without her consent."

Qui-gon took a deep breath. He exhaled with a small smile. "Do not concern yourself, Obi-wan. You did not use her feelings to your advantage. You acted on your compassion, as a jedi should. Perhaps she did not ask for it, but I have a feeling it was a well placed gesture, and did not go unwanted or unappreciated."

Standing up from the bed Qui-gon placed his hands on Obi-wan's shoulder. "You did well, my apprentice. Now come, Tatooine will soon be in range."

"Yes, master," Obi-wan nodded.

Swiftly throwing on his robe Qui-gon left the small room. Obi-wan sat there for a moment, quietly contemplating his master's words. Something still puzzled him. Assured by Qui-gon's words his action were justified, he couldn't help but think why he did it. Out of compassion, Qui-gon had said. Yes, on some level that was true. But it hadn't been his initial reason. At least, that's what he thought. Trouble was, he couldn't remember his initial reason at all. But he was sure it had been something more then compassion. Giving up for the moment Obi-wan jumped off the bed, grabbed his robe, and made his way to the cockpit. He would meditate on the matter later.

- ∞ -