(A/N)This is my first ever fic. It was initially gonna be a one-shot, but now it's a two-shot. There isn't much romance in this chapter, but the second chapter will be all Obitine, and it should be up tomorrow. Takes place after "The Duchess of Mandalore" but before "Deception". Read&Review please.

Dark clouds gathered overhead, a rarity on Coruscant, which was well known throughout the galaxy for it's dry skies. Contrary to popular opinion, it did rain on occasion, and when it did, it came down in thick sheets, soaking anything not tucked away inside one of the city-planet's seemingly infinite buildings. This liquid assault is usually preceded by howling winds, which was the case on this afternoon, as a ship touched down on the landing platform of the Jedi temple.

Shortly afterwards, Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi emerged from the descended ramp of the ship, followed closely by his former padawan Anakin Skywalker. They were both fresh from the field, having just returned from a mission in the Outer Rim. Separatist activity around Allyuen had necessitated the presence of the Jedi, and they'd managed to remove all enemy ships from the area. Anakin's padawan Ahsoka Tano had stayed behind, as she was needed in the temple to help out a group of Initiates.

Obi-Wan sighed as he stepped off the ramp and onto the landing platform. He ran his hand through his hair and down the back of his head as he thought about their most recently completed mission. It'd been a long and tedious one. General Grievous was leading the Separatist forces on Allyuen, and he had a personal grudge against Obi-Wan. He'd wanted to face the General in combat, but it hadn't exactly been a fair fight. Grievous, as usual, had MagnaGuards with him, and it was difficult staying alive with so many lethal blades aiming for him. He'd managed to take them out, but by that time Grievous had already gotten into an escape pod. It took every ounce of force-enhanced speed he had to get off the ship before it blew.

Anakin eventually picked him up from his landing point on a nearby moon. When Anakin arrived, he found Obi-Wan attempting to nurse several wounds of varying severity, including a large knot on the side of his head. When he'd finally boarded the ship, he'd been sent straight to the medical bay by Anakin, who wouldn't take no for an answer. His wounds were treated with bacta and he'd been sent to rest for the journey home. He'd woken up feeling much better, with the worst of his injuries healed.

"Looks like it's gonna rain soon." Anakin said as he walked up beside Obi-Wan, interrupting his recollections.

"Indeed." Obi-Wan replied as hunger pangs rippled in his belly. He hadn't eaten in over a day, and he wasn't in the mood for temple food. He didn't think the food served in the temple was terrible; it was much certainly better than field rations; but temple food was optimized for maximum nutritional value rather than taste. He decided to take a trip to Dex's, his favorite diner. The food wasn't exactly nutritious, but it was certainly tasty. Though the Jedi practiced restraint, it never hurt to indulge on occasion. The problem was that it was going to rain soon, and Obi-Wan doubted he'd have time to report to the council and go to Dex's before it started raining, and he definitely didn't want to get caught in that.

"Come on master, let's get inside before we get soaked."

"Actually, I was hoping you could do me a favor."

Anakin raised an eyebrow, "What kind of favor?"

"Could you give our report to the council alone? I really want to grab a bite to eat before it stars raining."

"Sure thing master, just make sure you bring me back something."

"No problem, Anakin. Good luck." Obi-Wan gave a small bow of his head, which was quickly returned, and took his leave. As he made his way through the temple, he noticed how shockingly desolate the temple was becoming. While the Jedi still numbered in the thousands, the vast majority were in the field, and it was plain to see that the war was having a noticeable impact on their numbers. Jedi were being killed every day, and there weren't enough padawans in the ranks to fully replenish their numbers. He wondered exactly how many of his brethren would be cut down before this war was finally over. Obi-Wan shook off these disturbing thoughts as he came to the entrance of the Temple.

He felt the wind rush through his hair as he walked down the temple's grand steps, deciding to take public transportation this time. He hadn't been around pedestrians for a while, and though he didn't particularly enjoy getting wet, he did enjoy rainy weather. It was calming, and gave one a pleasurable background noise in which to think, and meditate. He wrapped his cloak tighter around himself, as it was starting to get a bit chilly.

He made his way to the public maglev train station, a group of Twi'lek schoolchildren running ahead of him. As he approached the attendant, he flashed the hilt of his lightsaber. As servants of the Republic, Jedi were allowed free access to all public services, including public transportation. The attendant recognized the gesture, nodded and allowed him through.

The station was relatively crowded, owing to the fact that most schools had recently been let out for the day, and students were making their way home. The train approached as soon as he stepped on the platform, and he waited for the large throng of sentients to board first, before boarding last. The train was crowded, so Obi-Wan didn't bother looking for a seat, preferring to stand near the door.

Usually when he took public transportation, he was gawked at incessantly, due to his lightsaber being displayed prominently on his waist. This time, however, he had his cloak fully covering his lightsaber from view, which enabled him to blend in with civilians. This also allowed him time to contemplate the war, and the Jedi's place in it. Lost in his thoughts, he thought about the impact of the war on the everyday citizen of the Republic. He thought about the people he'd met along the way, and how they were doing. His thoughts soon came around to a certain Duchess of Mandalore, and the deep feelings he had for her. They'd met years ago, when he was still a padawan. They didn't like each other at first, arguing incessantly and often avoiding each other. Soon, this initial dislike blossomed into something different entirely and soon, they were in love. Unfortunately, they both knew it couldn't last.

Satine wanted to ask him to leave the Jedi and stay with her, and had she asked, he would've done so. But she knew how much being a Jedi meant to him. He'd told her how much he wanted to be a Jedi Knight, and she respected him too much to ask him to give up his dream just to be with her. During the first few months after their seperation, it was very hard for Obi-Wan to put aside his feelings for Satine, but over time it got easier. He recognized his feelings for her, but he also believed in the Jedi code, and he knew he had to put his duty above all else. He'd honestly believed that he was over Satine until a few months ago, when he came into contact with her again. Seeing her for the first time in all those years had brought those buried feelings rushing right back to the surface, and it was hard to keep his composure. The business with the Death Watch and Tal Merrick had re-solidified his feelings, and though he'd tried, he knew that these feelings would likely never go away.

Seeing that the Coco Town stop was coming up, Obi-Wan put those thoughts to the back of his mind and prepared to leave the train. As the train stopped and the doors opened, he was the first one off, and he quickly made his way off the station platform and towards the diner. Soon, the familiar facade of Dex's Diner come into view.

As he entered the bar, the smell of fresh food hit his nostrils. The diner wasn't as crowded as it usually was, due to the imminent rain. Two Aleena's sat on stools near the window to his left, and a Dug sat conversing with a Rodian at the bar. There was also a slim, hooded figure seated in a booth in the far right corner of the diner, tending to a cup of caf. Obi-Wan looked at the figure, getting the vague feeling that he knew them from somewhere, before he was distracted by FLO, the diner's droid waitress, calling for Dex after she spotted him.

"Honey, your Jedi friend is here!" The Besalisk appeared in the kitchen window and a large grin appeared on his face.

"Obi-Wan!"

"Hello Dex." He responded with a smile on his face.

Dex came out from the kitchen and approached him with his arms spread, "It's been too long buddy."

"Likewise." Obi-Wan said as he embraced the Besalisk. He smelled of kitchen grease, but he was a good friend, so Obi-Wan didn't mind.

"Anything I can do for you?" Obi-Wan often came to Dex for things involving the underworld that he couldn't find out in the temple. Obi-Wan didn't know much about his background, but he was sure that his friend used to be involved in things that weren't exactly legal. Despite this, Obi-Wan knew that he was a good person, and he had no reason to suspect that he was up to anything nefarious these days.

"Just here for a quick bite. I haven't eaten in ages. I'll have the usual."

"Sure thing buddy, the usual, coming right up." Dex went back to the kitchen to prepare Obi-Wan's meal. Obi-Wan took a seat at the booth nearest to the door. "Want some jawa juice?" FLO asked.

"Yes, thank you."

Obi-Wan looked out the window. The clouds were a deep grey, and the light drizzle that had started during his journey evolved into a steady shower of rain. The wind was blowing hard, ruffling people's clothing as they walked briskly to get out of the impending storm. Obi-Wan sighed, he didn't have a speeder, so he'd either have to wait out the storm or be drenched.

Suddenly, Obi-Wan felt a tingling sensation in the force. Someone was watching him. His eyes swept the bar. The two Aleena's were still on their stools, and the Dug and Rodian were making their way out of the diner. He knew it had to be the person wearing the hood he'd seen when he came in. He reached out in the force to gauge their intentions.

To his surprise, there was no hostility or suspicion. In fact, it was quite the opposite. Trust and affection wafted off the person. But then, who could it possibly be? His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps; the person was approaching him.

"Obi?" His heart jumped. There was only one person who called him that.

He turned around and came face to face with Duchess Satine Kryze of Mandalore.