Story Downloaded from Open Scrolls Archive (https://www.openscrolls.net)

Title: Tripping On Air (#3197)
Author: Kendra
Chapters: 5

Archive: Star Wars
Category: Femme Fatale (Or Bloke Fatal)
Description: Obi-Wan is tracking a known fugitive. Sometimes, even a Jedi needs a bit of help.
Published: 13 Dec 2006
Updated: 18 Jan 2007
Warnings: none
Type: Romance
Characters: Obi-Wan; OFC


Chapter 1 - Chapter One

Title: Tripping on Air
Author: Kendra
Pairing: Obi/OFC
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Lucas owns the boy-we'd treat him better though.
Notes: This is an odd fic for me. It's taken months and seemingly months to finally find the Obi muse to finish it up, he's been quite snarky-think it might have something to do with the Elf. I just wanted to write something very lighthearted and silly romantic and just have fun with a crazy character that is not really that crazy, just clutzy.lol Hope you enjoy.


~~*~~

Groaning lowly, Embeth Novara glanced once more from her monitor to the chrono on the far wall, and only managed another strangled noise at finding the time creeping along like a Bantha bogged down in a sea of mud.

When she joined Corsec, fresh out of Coruscant University-many, many moons ago, they had promised her a career that was both adventurous and exciting. They lied. All Embeth had managed to become was a slave to her cluttered little desk tucked neatly out of sight in the far corner.

The only adventure that could come to mind in regards to her Corsec career, came each evening as she fought her way to the public transport without being trampled and left for dead. As for exciting-yeah right. How exciting was it to stare day in and day out at a monitor constantly flooded with images of the galaxy's most wanted and hoping to make some sort of connection in finding them for the most ungrateful, egotistical, Corsec officers imaginable?

Glancing once again to the wall chrono, Embeth let out a long, loud sigh before slumping forward, elbows resting atop her desk, chin planted firmly in her palms while pretending to stare at the screen before her. If only she had the guts to quit, move as far away for this over crowded, over cluttered planet and start anew. But alas, keeping a roof over her head, food on the table, and the occasional credit to go shopping with, kept her chained to such a boring job.

If only she could find the courage to let go, embrace change. These were the same thoughts and wishes that plagued her daily of late. Well, between that and finding a man. Now that was a career all in itself with the males that had darkened her doorway over the past years.

It wasn't 'til recently, after a bitter and quite public breakup that Embeth Novara had called it quits in the world of dating and had sworn off men. She'd be quite content and happy living by herself, in the cramped little apartment she shared with her feline Dax. She'd grow old, become the spinster her mother warned her about when leaving Valeria and her family, and just enjoy it whether she liked it or not, damnit.

Guess it didn't help in the man hunting department that the brunette was a bit on the clumsy side. It didn't matter the situation, if all else failed, Embeth was known to make an ass out of herself. If it wasn't by her stammering and stuttering and saying completely the inappropriate. She would trip on air if given the chance. Grace was most definitely not her middle name or even remotely in her gene pool.

"Novara! You got some guy coming up to see you about locating one of your boyfriends!" Captain Istar shouted, chuckling as the dark-haired woman's chin nearly hit the desk, as she was startled.

"What? About what boyfriend?" She quizzed, completely confused and wondering if her daily musing about her life in general had now turned to babbling aloud and she was totally unaware of doing such.

Istar rolled his eyes and pointed to her monitor at the images streaming by. "Those boyfriends...the most eligible and notorious in the galaxy," the snot nosed Rodian chided in his annoyingly nasal tone.

Giving the annoying Captain a forced smile, then turning back to her desk to roll her eyes, Embeth swore softly under her breath. "This should be fun, another demanding little bug-eyed, weaselly type wanting to double cross the Republic and cash in on another most wanted," she snapped.

Hitting her elbow against the edge of her desk, Embeth grunted and only managed to knock her chocolate bar to the floor. If there was one thing anybody who had any sense knew, was that nobody came between this woman and her addiction.

Without thought, just running on gut reaction, the dark-haired woman with warm eyes the color of her favorite treat, slipped out of her chair and crawled under her desk to retrieve the half eaten bar.

While scurrying about the cramped space, the only thing visible was her backside; Embeth noticed her lost earring under the desk as well and uttered an enthusiastic cheer at the unexpected find.

"Pardon me?" A cultured, male voice quizzed from above, making the startled woman instantly try to stand, but only managing to nearly knock herself unconscious on the underside of her desk.

"Ohff!" Embeth winced as strong hands wrapped around her hips and helped her shimmy out from under the furniture in a most undignified manner.

"My apologies, I didn't mean to...are you all right?" He asked, watching with concern, but the twinkle in his azure eyes was most noticeable as he towered over the woman who was still sprawled upon the floor.

Slowly nodding her head in the affirmative, a hand rubbing gently upon the tender, abused crown, Embeth recovered just enough to focus on the pair of slightly scuffed, but highly polished brown boots within her eyeline.

Stupidly, the dark-haired woman perused her way from the boots, to the cream colored leggings, to the utility belt, up more to the tunic and then rested her gaze on the most alluring male face she'd seen in her life. It didn't help that he had plastered upon his face the cockiest grin ever imaginable. In all her haste of looking at this stranger, she mentally checked off his wonderful assets-and even from her position, there were some fine assets to admire. She knew from the brown robe he wore that unmistakably, he was Jedi. Yet, in some recess of her mind, the idea didn't quite fathom as denial set in. Damn what a waste if he was Jedi, she momentarily mused, figuring once again, her luck was a thing to be denied. "You're a Jedi..." she remarked dumbly.

Glancing down at himself, nodding in agreement, the man with the auburn hair smiled as if he held a secret that no other was privileged to know. "Last time I looked," he shot back, amusement heavy in his tone.

"A Jedi...incredible...what a waste," Embeth muttered, then blushing furiously as she realized that once again, she'd made a complete and utter fool of herself in front of a handsome man-no less a revered and respected Jedi. What ever his name was, they were all revered and respected most assuredly she thought, finally taking in her very unlady like sprawl and quickly fighting to shimmy her skirt down to once again hide the extra amount of thigh she was so blatantly showing this man.

Cocking an eyebrow, the Jedi extended a hand to help her stand. "Waste? I've been called many things, however, that is a first," he mused, no anger in his voice but it still rang soundly with mirth.

"Oh, I didn't mean waste, waste. I mean waste as in it's too bad you're Jedi and celibate and what a loss you can't have sex and..." she blathered on in one breath as she nervously stood, trying to adjust her skirt and blouse.

Crossing his arms over his chest, storm-colored eyes glistened with a naughty gleam. "Really? No intimate relations? That's news to me...last time I checked, it wasn't against the Code," he casually said, making as if really thinking upon the Code to see what reaction the charming woman before him would come back with next.

"Oh...I am so sorry. I mean, I didn't know...I only heard...I mean, I'm just making an even bigger fool out of myself than first originally thought, aren't I?" Embeth groaned, blushing furiously before sitting down, nearly missing the chair in the process of being absolutely flustered.

"I find it quite charming. No apology needed. I take it, you are officer Novara, correct?"

"Afraid so," she groaned, looking back up to the Jedi as he now stood before her desk.

"I'm Jedi Kenobi...Obi-Wan," he introduced, bowing to the woman. "I've come seeking help and was directed to you."

"Oh, so you're the one," she remarked, her face lighting up. "What can I help you with?"

Obi-Wan reached to his utility belt and pulled out a datacard. "I'm looking for this man, Corbin Durra, he's Corellian and quite the thorn in Senator Aldo's side of late. I was told you were the best in Corsec at tracking a fugitive's trail," he explained, handing her the datacard which she instantly inserted into her computer station and watched as the man's image and info flashed on the monitor before her.

"I think you might have been slightly misinformed. I'm probably the only one left in the building willing to do this work, let alone help a Jedi."

An auburn brow raised in surprise. "How so? About the Jedi, I mean," he corrected.

"Mistrust, many think the Jedi are no more than an antiquated group of mind readers on a power trip to control the galaxy and ruin those who are...never mind," Embeth quickly halted, looking about the nearly empty office hoping the few stragglers had not overheard her remarks.

"And you, why do you help me then if others in Corsec think so, lowly of the Jedi?" Obi-Wan questioned, the annoyance of the information apparent in the way the line between his brows deepened.

Leaning back in her chair and looking the Jedi straight in the eyes, Embeth lowered her voice. "Because I think most of them who think that way are wrong. I may not know the sex life of a Jedi, but I do know that I've only seen good from the Order and nothing of what the low minded whisper behind your back. Though mostly those whispering..." she continued, leaning forward, lowering her voice even more, "...are the ones afraid that the Jedi will ruin their corrupt affairs."

Rocking back on his heel, Obi-Wan straightened and eyed the woman with a deeper respect. "My Master spoke of such before his death...I see," he pondered, wrapping his robe closer about him.

Embeth never spoke this openly about Corsec to anyone, not even her own family. So here she was blabbing like an idiot to someone she'd only met moments earlier. What was it with Jedi? Were they all so annoyingly trusting?

Clearing her throat awkwardly, Embeth turned back to the monitor. "I will look over the profile you gave me of Durra and get back to you as soon as I possibly can in finding his whereabouts or any additional information. May I ask what it is exactly that Durra has done to cause the Senator to ask for the Jedi's help?"

Obi-Wan's eyes grew dark as he frowned bitterly. "Durra is suspected in threatening to kidnap and torture the Senator's young daughter if a senatorial vote is not swayed."

Embeth's brown eyes widened. "Oh, I understand. I'll get to work on this immediately. Jedi Kenobi, dare I ask when this vote in the Senate will take place?"

"Eight standard days..."

"Doesn't give us much time, does it?"

"No, it does not," he agreed, before leaving his comlink code with her so that he could be reached directly. Bowing, the Jedi turned to leave then stopped abruptly, acting as if he wished to say something while looking back at the officer but instead, smirked to himself and quietly left.

"Well, that went well," Embeth groaned, slumping her shoulders and collapsing more bonelessly into her chair. "I bet nobody's ever asked a Jedi about his sex life. You've done it again, Novara, you've done it once again. Probably the most memorable of dumb things said so far," she admonished softly before being drawn to the information the Jedi had left for her.

~~*~~
tbc


Chapter 2 - Chapter Two

~~*~~

Embeth sat on the couch, a clutter of durasheets and datapads adorning the sofa table before her as she leaned forward to examine the information at a closer view. She'd been doing just this for the past two days, bringing work home with her. Sure, Corsec frowned on files and data leaving the security of the building, but sometimes one just had to circumvent the rules and look at things in a differing light other than the confines of a crowded and noisy office.

"Well Dax, I'm still coming up with nothing, or should I say nothing major," she sighed tiredly before shoving another spoonful of iced cream into her mouth, sucking idly on the utensil while the feline seemed to look at her curiously from his vantagepoint on the cushion beside her.

A loud meow was the feline's response, making his owner nod her head in agreement. "You said it, this Durra is as elusive as a shadow in a back alley in the bowels of Coruscant's lower levels. I've got to be missing some connection that will pull the pieces together. But what?"

Dax stretched lazily, as felines tend to do, then slinked over to Embeth's lap, eyeing the nearly empty carton of iced cream she held in one hand before swatting it in recognition. Without hesitation, brewed of many times before, the dark-haired woman placed the small carton on the floor. In moments, the gray and white animal had leaped to the floor and was head deep licking the contents clean.

The sound of the door buzzer going off at this late evening made the dark-haired woman jump as the durasheet she'd been engrossed in fell to the floor. Eyeing the door critically, wondering who would be outside in the hall at this late hour, she unfolded herself off the couch and went to find out.

"What the..." Embeth mumbled, staring at Jedi Kenobi's form as he stood outside her door, his hands full of differing items.

Palming the security lock, the door opened soundlessly to reveal Obi-Wan grinning rather nervously. "I'm sorry, I didn't have a clue as to the time. I just returned to the Temple and I know you haven't had any major leads on Durra as of yet, but I just wanted to touch base and fill you in on a few things I uncovered on my trip to Kalesh."

Embeth glanced down at her appearance, oversized shirt, leggings, her hair going ever which way and only shrugged. "Uh, sure, come on in," she welcomed, waving the Jedi inside.

"Hope you don't mind, I picked up some food as well," he remarked, heading straight to the cluttered breakfast bar at the edge of the kitchen.

"Well, no," she mused, following the Jedi across the room then stepping into the small kitchen and retrieving two glasses before standing before the chiller and looking inside while sighing. "What would you like to drink? I have two offering...okay three. Muja juice, muja juice, and water, what would you like?"

Obi-Wan shook his head and chuckled. "Muja juice would be fine," he answered, pulling out various take-out boxes and setting them before him then carefully sliding a folder of durasheets to the side.

"Muja juice it is," Embeth exclaimed, pouring them both a glass and setting it to the breakfast bar where Obi-Wan now sat. "One question before we begin..." the auburn-haired Jedi raked a hand through his hair and nodded his agreement.


"Just how did you find where I live?"

His grin was near contagious but there was also a bashfulness to his reply. "I'm a Jedi. We may not be allowed to have sex-according to some in the galaxy, so we have to occupy our time somehow. So, there is a great data system back at the Temple...I looked you up," he explained with a twinkle of mischief in his eyes.

Embeth couldn't help but blush at the earlier reminder of her misinformation and utter foolishness. "I see, well good thing you have something to occupy your time or you'd get mighty bored," she retorted with a nervous laugh.

"I hope you don't mind?"

Looking slightly panicked since she was taken a little off-guard as her thoughts returned once more to the dredges of lower Coruscant and the idea of a sexual fantasy with a Jedi, the dark-haired woman blew a strand of hair from her cheek and looked trapped. "Mind what?" She asked, her voice rising nervously.

Obi-Wan motioned for her to sit down and then handed her a take-out carton and fork. "That I just invited myself and took the liberty of tracking you down. I've got to admit, I've spoken with a few people of late and they sing your praises. Not to mention the information you gave me helped lead me one step closer to Durra."

Flopping down on the chair, settling herself on the stool with one leg planted casually beneath her while the other lazily swung back and forth, her interest was peaked. At that moment, she could care less about how he found her, his showing up at her doorstep, and even sex...okay, well sort of.

Embeth listened closer as Obi-Wan filled her in on his time off world and the new information he'd uncovered about Durra. Not only was the man a professional criminal whose usual bantering on the darker side of the law was theft, and now branching out to extortion and kidnapping...but it looked as if Corbin Durra was not all he seemed and then some.

"I can't believe it," Embeth exclaimed, sucking in a noodle while looking over the durasheet she'd just been handed. "Are you sure?"

"I don't have the proof, but I have heard too much to convince me otherwise," Obi-Wan replied, taking a sip of muja juice before pointing to a specific line on the durasheet. "Right there...some how Durra is tied into the Separatist movement or some such faction that seems to be gaining ground throughout the galaxy."

Nodding her head in agreement, Embeth placed the durasheet to the counter top and then took another bite of food. "Really? I've heard of such but have honestly brushed it aside. I mean the Republic is a great power, what could possibly destroy such? That's ludicrous."

Obi-Wan pushed his empty carton of food aside and sighed heavily. "Embeth Novara, there are many things in this universe that you know nothing about that are more powerful than you dare imagine. Do not blindly disregard anything, for all is possible."

The shock on her face was clearly evident and Obi-Wan momentarily felt bad about saying such, but he felt it was in her own best interest to open her eyes to the bigger picture of what was occurring around her, especially with the position she now held in Corsec.

"Okay, I'll give you that. But what is it about this vote coming up in a few days that would have the Separatists drooling to shoot it down? If I recall from what you gave me the other day, it's a simple vote on assigning an increase in senatorial delegates from the shipbuilding guild."

Obi-Wan admired her tenacity and the way she took in what he had said without a blink of an eye and still thought through the situation. "I don't know...not yet."

Embeth tapped the durasheet in thought before abruptly leaving Obi-Wan sitting at the breakfast bar alone as she sank to her knees on the floor beside the cluttered, sofa table.

Downing the last of his muja juice, Obi-Wan then followed her to the den, sitting on the couch beside the lazing feline. "What is it?"

"Maybe the connection between this vote. Who Durra is really working for, and just what the hell is going on is right here before us in this...mess," she announced, waving her arms to the overflowing table and floor.

"I thought Corsec frowned on security data leaving the building?" Obi-Wan grinned, picking up a datapad and glancing at the information.

A dark brow raised and eyed the Jedi. "What they don't know, won't hurt them," Embeth remarked with a mischievous grin as she went back to searching.

"Any idea as to what we're looking for?" The Jedi quizzed. "I'm thinking the tie might be with the shipbuilding guild and Durra...possibly he's working in tandem with the Separatists."

Smiling brightly, Embeth winked at the handsome man. "I like how you think, Jedi."

"I could say the same for you," Obi-Wan replied, just as Embeth dropped the datapad she'd been looking over to the table with a muffled thump upon hearing his words.

~~*~~

tbc


Chapter 3 - Chapter Three

~~*~~

Obi-Wan paced the corridor of the Senate building outside Senator Aldo's office. The stubborn woman would not allow him access to her office, feeling it would send the wrong signal that she was running scared from those who wished to weaken her position. Yet what was the signal she was sending by having a Jedi standing outside her door?

To the very moment, the move irritated the auburn-haired Jedi, as he seemed to be staring into nothingness, but was keenly aware of all that was going on about him. How was he to protect her and her family if she kept shutting a door in his face at every turn?

The gentle buzz of his comlink going off distracted his musings as he nodded to passersby while answering the device. "Kenobi," he spoke clearly.

"Knight Kenobi, this is Officer Novara, Embeth Novara," she began, her voice rather difficult to understand, it was as if she were standing deep within the trenches of...something. "I might have a lead on Durra...he's been...right before...I'm checking it out now..."

Obi-Wan stopped his pacing and frowned. He didn't like this one bit, and the connection between the comlinks fracturing was not making matters any better. "Repeat that again, Novara. I cannot make out what you are saying."

"I'm almost there...the Lunara Club...he's owed...if he's on Coruscant...he'll collect..." the officer disjointedly explained as the comlink continued to act up. But this time, Obi-Wan had a rather good idea why the comlink was hitting such interference; Novara was heading right into the bowels of Coruscant that not many dared to enter.

Striding purposefully to the Senator's door, Obi-Wan continued to speak into the comlink. "Do not go in there alone, wait till I meet you," he ordered, receiving nothing but static in return. "Novara, do not...bloody hell," he muttered impatiently, bursting into the office and ordering the Senator's bodyguards to be on full alert as he was leaving on business involving Durra.

Thumbing off the comlink, Obi-Wan quickly changed his mind, contacting the Temple and requesting another Jedi be sent to the Senate to take his place for the time being. They had the Senator's daughter safely hidden back at the Temple, but now the Senator could possibly be the target of retaliation if the vote were to go through and the allowance of senatorial increase was shot down...as expected by Aldo's swaying vote.

~~*~~

The music was so loud it rattled her teeth. The smoke so thick it felt like her lungs were on fire, but Embeth Novara had a job to do and she was very patient, she could wait it out if it meant finding Durra and staying in her dark, corner booth observing her surroundings.

Watching the gyrating bodies on the dance floor, sway in their erotic dance only made the young woman shake her head while taking a sip of the smooth, Corellian brandy in the glass before her. She couldn't help but think that not even in her youth, could her body move like that.

As her eyes adjusted to the dim light, it was easy to glance about the room for Durra, but a little more difficult to keep a low profile being a lone female as many a male eye raked over her body in a most devilishly tempting gaze. The look from one or two male patrons leaning heavily against the bar had made her nervous, but damnit, she was Corsec, she'd been trained to do exactly what she was doing now. The only problem was, she hadn't done this before and was not feeling completely comfortable blending into the walls like she'd hoped to do. A single, fairly good-looking female alone in the lower dredges of Coruscant and sitting by herself in a dark bar frequented by the not so sociable inhabitants, was enough to frazzle even a pro's nerves-and she was nothing but a glorified desk-phile at Corsec.

But this time, the stakes were too high and Embeth Novara was beyond determined to find this Durra. At first it was just another fugitive to be found, but somewhere along the lines it had become a sticking point and she would not lose this game. Truth was, it was her tenacity and stubbornness kicking in, something that tended to happen when she sank her teeth into finding those most wanted in the galaxy. Plus too, she welcomed the element of dangerous risk, something-anything to break of the monotony of her chosen career.

Though she might appear klutzy, a tad ditzy at first glance, Embeth Novara was good at what she did. And now that she was actually out in the field and not stuck behind her cluttered desk, the dark-haired woman was feeling a renewed sense of adventure in her usually drab, dull job.

It was right about that time, while taking a long sip of the burnished colored liquid that her jubilant thoughts of finding Durra and alerting Jedi Kenobi collapsed like a house of sabaac cards upon spying the figure now darkening the doorway.

Not many in a lifetime could honestly say that a Jedi-a handsome and charming Jedi at that, could elicit such a dour reaction from anyone other than a Sith or someone they were bringing to justice. But Embeth Novara was no fool, she could read Obi-Wan's displeasure a galaxy away if the frown upon his lips and furrowed brow were any hint of indication to her that the calm, serene, Jedi, was not quite that calm or serene at the moment.

The crowd couldn't help but take notice of Obi-Wan as he strode purposefully inside, making his way to the back booth and the lone woman who had been sitting there nursing the glass of Corellian brandy all evening.

Sliding into the booth, Obi-Wan kept his gaze on the crowd, which had gone back to their normal, gyrating routine while Embeth cocked her head to the side and just stared at the Jedi. "You really have no idea what covert means, do you?" She snapped, shaking her head, ignoring his displeasure and focusing in on how he'd called attention to her and himself.

"For your information, you are about as covert as a...a..." he stuttered, keeping his gaze to their surroundings, not daring to look at the woman beside him.

"Yes?"Embeth dared with an edge to her voice.

"Forget it," Obi-Wan said in such a cool tone that most would have been warned off-but not Embeth Novara.

"No, I will not forget it. What do you mean I'm not...covert?" She demanded, lowering her voice, pulling on the shoulder of his robe to get the handsome Jedi to look at her.

Eyes the color of a raging storm suddenly looked down upon her and the emotions swirling about those alluring depths made the woman raise her brow daringly. "Everybody and anybody can tell you're Corsec..." he began, but unexpectedly stopped as the figure entering the club was reflected off the far mirrors behind the bar.

Corbin Durra had stepped inside and was just now making his way through the sea of people, heading towards the bar.

Embeth snorted indignantly while focusing her gaze upon the face she'd seen staring back at her from her work station monitor for far too long. Durra had barely taken ten steps inside the club when his attention diverted to the back of the bar where Obi-Wan was now walking, casually making his way towards the disheveled man.

Running on instinct, Durra turned and fled from the club, Obi-Wan fast on his heels as most patrons quickly stepped aside, not wanting to get involved with what was occurring. Embeth, placed credits to the table and while elbowing her way out of the crowd that had resumed normal activities, had the good graces to get on her comlink and alert those Corsec officers in the area of a fugitive retrieval with a Jedi fast on his heels.

Glancing up to the gray sky-actually nothing but durasteel as far as the eyes could see. Embeth sighed loudly, still irked with the Jedi's reaction before she trudged to the nearest shuttle station to await heading topside.

~~*~~

tbc


Chapter 4 - Chapter Four

~~*~~

Once on the upper levels, the skies uncharacteristically let loose with a torrent of rain. The sound of the large raindrops near deafening as it engulfed everything surrounding the young woman when she stepped off the shuttle and tried to make her way towards the office to check on Durra's apprehension.

After finally giving up on the fact that she would not stay dry no matter how many times she crept along the open building entryways, Embeth just gritted her teeth and decided to forego the torture and ignore the rain. Even as it drenched her to the bone, she was most certain her appearance surely must resemble the likes of a drowned nerf.

Thumbing her comlink on after being alerted to the call, Embeth answered and was greeted by Obi-Wan's stony report of Durra's capture. It wasn't until the Jedi had started in on what the dark-haired woman considered an unwanted lecture that she thumbed off the handsome Jedi's remarks mid-sentence, placing the comlink back on her belt. Ignoring the next few instances when the bothersome device alerted her to the call-she knew damn well who was on the other end and she was determined that he could mind his own business. She was an adult after all, not some foppish child in need of Jedi help or a talking to by some bothersome Knight.

Traveling the walkway leading to the entrance of Corsec, Embeth got her first good look at herself in the windows' reflection of the building. "All hells," she muttered, fingering her hair so that it was out of her eyes as the rain continued to fall, easing up just a bit.

It was then that she decided it really wasn't worth going back to work. Surely Durra was secured at the Jedi Temple, all traces or reason of Corsec's involvement in his apprehension were more than likely wiped out the moment Kenobi had him in custody, the officer mused as she turned about and headed in the opposite direction, back towards the shuttle stop.

But one look at the massive crowd fighting and elbowing their way to the approaching shuttle, made the woman groan, turning once more, opting to walk the way back to her quarters. Surely it would be safer and most likely faster than fighting off the minions waiting for each subsequent shuttle to arrive.

As the dark-haired woman walked, stomping through the gathering puddles along the walkway, the more she thought about what the Jedi would have probably said to her back at the club. Thus, the angrier she became-especially with each subsequent, ignored call on her comlink.

"Enough!" She shouted over the pummel of falling rain, fumbling to release the comlink from beneath her soaked cloak. The smattering of people near her, giving the seemingly 'odd' woman a wide berth as she muttered aloud and went in circles fidgeting with her attire.

Grinning in triumph, the woman stared momentarily at the evil device she'd just freed and then quickly tossed it over her shoulder, not caring in the least where it ended up as long as it wasn't near her.

The voice stopped her in her tracks. "Lose something?" She could just see that smirk.

Spinning on her heel, Embeth was now facing a rather wet Jedi holding her comlink in his hand. "No. Now go away and bother somebody else," she ordered, turning about and stomping her way back down the street, Obi-Wan was momentarily stunned before he too was following fast in pursuit.

Without warning, Embeth Novara stopped in her tracks and found that Obi-Wan nearly slammed into her at this sudden and quite unexpected decision. "And what exactly do you mean I'm not...not...covert?" She demanded, pointing a finger against his chest, each word emphasized by a jab.

Obi-Wan's eyes narrowed. "You nearly shouted 'Corsec' back there," he fumed, wiping the water from his face. "Anybody in that place could have torn you limb from limb and all you would have done is sit there and..."

"Ooh, you stupid man!" Embeth shouted, stomping her foot and only having it land heavily in a puddle, drenching Obi-Wan from boot to thigh. "Sure, I might not be the most experienced officer in Corsec. Yes, I'm chained to that desk doing something I both hate and love...what are you trying to say? I'm not good at my job?"

Hands on his hips, the Jedi tried to give his most imposing look of annoyance but it didn't phase the woman before him. "I did not say you couldn't do your job..."

"Ah, but you did...in so many words. You're no better than those egotistical dweebs I work with back in the office-you figure because I'm a woman, I need constant rescue or I can't do what I've been trained for all these years." She accused, her hair falling in her eyes, her clothes so sopping wet they hung heavily off her frame.

"I just meant you were about as subtle sitting back in the Lunara as a bantha in the middle of the shopping gallery. I said..."

Embeth shoved the Jedi on his shoulders and turned about. "I'll have you know, I may hate my job from time to time. But damnit, I know what I'm doing and I do it well. Tell me, Jedi Kenobi, just who was it that found Durra? Huh?"

Obi-Wan did have the good graces to look a tad put in his place for one brief moment as he stopped and watched the woman's exit before he quickly strode after her, clutching her upper arm so that she turned about in a fury to see him better.

"Yes, yes you did find Durra. But at a high price," he confessed, noticing how the anger in her eyes momentarily softened in confusion. "In all the seven hells, you could have been killed," he shot back, knowing the woman before him had not even thought once about the issue.

Before the damnable woman could utter any reply, Obi-Wan leaned forward and planted his lips upon hers in such a fierce, passionate kiss that it surprised himself just as much as the dark-haired woman slowly pulling away from him minutes later.

"I...you...I caught Durra, I knew the risks," she stammered, stepping back, then suddenly closing the gap between them once more, pulling the handsome Jedi to her by the robes and returning the kiss with even more heat.


Lingering a soft, slow kiss to her lips, Obi-Wan reluctantly released the woman in his arms and couldn't help the lopsided grin that now graced his face. "That was not fair," Embeth accused. "You ruined a perfectly good tirade."

Cocking his head to the side, the Jedi couldn't help but laugh naughtily. "I'm sure you can put me in my place again. I'm sorry...I just...I saw you in that club and my focus turned to you and your safety and ...I acted like a fool."

Embeth eyed the auburn-haired Jedi curiously. "You mean that, don't you?"

"Yes I do," he promised, his arms extended from his sides in a surrendering manner as water dripped freely from the material of his robes.

"Don't ever do that again...act like a fool," she warned, but most of the venom was now lost from her voice as it finally registered that the handsome Jedi had kissed her so thoroughly that it nearly rattled her teeth.

Obi-Wan shifted his stance as Embeth suddenly eyed him critically as he weighed her words. "I'm thinking...I'm thinking..." Obi-Wan replied.

"It's my job, let me do it. I don't go around telling you how to be a Jedi, so please don't go around telling me how to be a member of Corsec."

With a loud sigh, the Jedi relented. "I promise...I will try my best to not interfere. But I will probably worry about your safety. But I will...to hell and back, Embeth, I can't help wanting to keep you in one piece."

Groaning, Embeth brushed a sopping wet strand of hair from her eyes and looked at the man before her and grinned. "So tell me, Jedi Kenobi, does this mean you care?" Her voice broke a little at the implications.

"Possibly," he baited, that naughty glint in his eyes clearly evident to any passing fool who watched the interaction.

"My place or yours?"

"I thought you were still under the mistaken impression that we Jedi were celibate," he smirked, his brow raising in amusement as it seemed that the woman before him was blushing.

Closing the gap, grasping the collar of his Jedi robes, she leaned up to look eye to eye at the man before her. "Prove me wrong," she challenged in a sultry voice.

Obi-Wan's eyes danced with mirth and seduction as he met her gaze. "My pleasure...and yours too," he lowly growled, running the pad of his index finger down the bridge of her nose. "Your place."

"Huh?" Embeth asked, not fathoming the question for the thoughts running through her sex addled mind.

"Your place, it's closer," he chuckled, grabbing her hand in his and leading her down the walkway. "Besides, a Temple full of Jedi can be unusually nosey when one brings a beautiful, rain drenched woman back to their quarters."

Smiling with mischief, Obi-Wan looked the part of the feline that ate the sand mouse. "I take it you bring rain soaked women back to your place, often?" Embeth teased, gaining her the Jedi's attention.

"Possibly," he grinned.

"It's never a straight answer with you Jedi, is it?" She laughed, her shoes sloshing and squishing with each step.

"Probably," Obi-Wan laughed, gently squeezing her hand.

~~*~~


Chapter 5 - Chapter Five

~~*~~

"You're sure about this?" Obi-Wan lowly questioned for about the tenth time in as many minutes.

Piling one more item from her office desk into the crate the Jedi held, Embeth Novara sighed contently and smiled a dazzling smile. "Once again, the answer is yes. I'm sure Corsec is not the place for me...too many who are supposed to be the good guys, but are really no better than the bad guys," she softly replied as Obi-Wan glanced around the room, giving a few gathering officers a harsh look, making them quit their ogling.

"Obi-Wan, I thought you said you would try to stop worrying about me?" she sighed.

"Try-is the operative word," he returned, glancing at what was now filling the crate he held.

Brushing her hands of the dust, Embeth retrieved a handful of candy bars from her bottom drawer and quickly tucked them into her pockets. "Fair enough," she agreed, looking at the man before her with warmth filled eyes. "I can worry about you when you're away from the Temple, and you can worry about me and my crazy schemes."

Nodding his head in the positive. "Agreed. But are you sure quitting Corsec is the correct answer?"

Embeth brushed the back of her hand against Obi-Wan's slightly stubbled cheek then leaned up to kiss the cleft in his chin. "Positive. Besides, I've had a couple very interesting job offers of late."

With that, she dropped the subject and began to head for the exit, Obi-Wan following closely in her wake. "What sort of offers?" He asked hesitantly as they both waited for the lift.

"Just offers," the dark-haired woman skirted the issue, knowing it would drive her lover mad.

"Embeth, what offers?" Obi-Wan again requested as they stepped onto the lift, her silence only confirming that he probably didn't wish to know the truth-but it was required.

Crossing her arms over her chest, then suddenly remembering her chocolate and casually unwrapping the lucious candy, Embeth stole a glance from the corner of her eye to the only other occupant on the lift with her-Obi-Wan. "Okay fine," she relented, noticing how he was trying not to tap his booted foot impatiently.

"I have a couple offers of employment from various bounty hunting organizations..."

"Hells, Embeth, you have got to be losing your mind if you..."

Taking a bite of chocolate, savoring the flavor as she held up her hand to stop him. "And one from the Jedi..."

Obi-Wan turned to face the woman as the lift stopped and the doors opened, his surprise quite evident upon his face as his brows rose quite comically at her revelation. Without acknowledgement, Embeth stepped from the lift, slightly tripping over the minimal difference between lift and tile floor.

"Just what have you been up to?" Obi-Wan questioned as the two walked to the shuttle stop.

"I, Jedi Kenobi, have been up to nothing. It's you Jedi who seem to have been looking into my skills," she teased in a double manner, waggling her eyebrows at the man now walking beside her, making him smirk.

"Besides 'those' skills," he urged with a shake of his head.

Sighing quite put upon for effect; Embeth couldn't help but grin. "Seems a certain Jedi Knight has been singing my praises at tracking even the most notorious of the galaxy, to other Jedi back on the Council and just about any and everywhere else...thank you," she sweetly said, brushing her hand against his arm.

"Your praises are easy to spread," he said with sincerity.

"So, all your talk has paid off. I've been offered quite a lucrative job working with the Jedi and tracking down the worst of the worst through mountains of data and crazy hunches," the dark-haired woman explained, taking another bite of chocolate and nearly moaning in appreciation.

Obi-Wan couldn't help but revel in the way the woman found such pleasure. It was evident in her voice, it was damn near a sexual experience with her at watching and hearing her devour her chocolate, which gave him a sudden, very naughty idea to try out later that night when they were alone.

"...Did you hear me?" Embeth asked as they neared the shuttle stop.

Looking a bit flustered, Obi-Wan grunted. "...No, sorry. What were you saying?"

"I was saying, would you like to go out tonight to dinner and celebrate my more than likely accepting this new job offer at the Temple?"

Shifting the heavy container in his arms, he couldn't help but smile mischievously. "Maybe I can persuade you to stay in quarters tonight," he suggested slyly, earning him a suspicious look from his lover.

"Possibly," she voiced with a laugh.

"Fair enough," he agreed, nodding towards the approaching shuttle, and with that, setting his plans for a very sexy, alluring evening in motion.
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