Tahiri walked into the room carrying a tray of food. Anakin rolled over in bed at the delicious smell. "Don't tell me you're eating that alone."
"I'm not, this is yours," She set the tray on his lap. "I'll be right back, you keep eating."
Why can't I bring myself to tell you?
Why won't my lips form the words?
How come they're here inside my mind,
and not being heard?She sighed and leaned against the kitchen wall. Anakin sensed her mood and abandoned his breakfast. "Tahiri, what's wrong?"
Here I go... someone gimme a push! She took a deep breath. "Ani, something's...happened. Even though I slept in a comepletely different room than you... I've become pregnant," Anakin's eyes widened. "But you know nothing happened between us. So how?"
"I think I'll sit down," He stated.
She bit her lip. "Since I'm bearing a child, my tribe won't accept me back... I broke one of Sliven's rules, plus they think I'm dead. I desperately want to go back to Yavin 4 with you, but..." Anakin stood up and encircled Tahiri's waist with his arms.
"But?"
"Your uncle wouldn't accept a 15 year old mysteriously pregnant woman into the academy. They'd think you and I..uh.. you know. And even if I waited until the child was old enough to be trained, the DNA would point to me. The only..." She choked out a sob, Anakin pressed his forehead to hers. "It's so hard for me to do this, Ani, but the only option is for me to disappear...forever," Anakin looked stunned. "No one can know, Anakin. Nothing can ever happen between us now." He looked down and took a few shaky breaths.
"Will I ever see you again?" When Anakin looked up, tears were glistening in his eyes. She shook her head.
"I don't know. It'd be far less painful if... if it really does seem like I disappear. Maybe one day, you'll forget me. Maybe then..." Anakin quieted her by pressing a finger to her lips.
"When I came here, all I could think about was meeting you again. Once I met you, I fell in love with you, then you were taken from me. I found you near death, and told you how I really felt about you. I can never forget you, Tahiri. You're the second part of me, I need you. I love you."
"I feel the same way, Ani," She leaned against his shoulder and he held her for what seemed like an eternity. "I'll stay here for 9 months, then I'll go to Naboo after the baby is born, you make up an excuse to come see me, and then we'll work things out. We won't tell anyone, even family, until the time is right, OK?" Anakin nodded slowly.
"Tahiri... I feel responsible for it."
"You're not, so don't feel bad. I just want to find out who IS."
Steps sounded down the stairs and they seperated, pretending to be busy eating. Jacen walked in.
"Once y'all are done eating, we need to go. Uncle Luke has another mission for us."
"Jacen! You guys made it back!" Anakin hugged his brother. Jacen looked at tahiri and gawked.
That's TAHIRI!? Jacen asked Anakin.
She's too young for you, besides, Tenel Ka might get jealous.Plus, having your best friend be your brother's girlfriend would be kinda weird, eh?"Yeah.[/i][/color] Jacen left.
"Well, this is awkward," Tahiri stated. Anakin came over to her and caressed her cheek with his right hand.
"See you on Naboo," he whispered brokenly. She nodded without enthusiasm. "I love you." Anakin kissed her pasisonately on the mouth.
"Anakin, let's go!" Jaina impatient cry broke their kiss.
"I'll miss you, Heroboy," Tahiri grinned, he turned towards the door, but she caught his arm. "A lot. I love you." He saluted and turned and ran out of the building before his heart could convince him to kiss her again.
[hl=black] In the Jade Shadow.. [/hl][/color]
"Say, I never asked you what you and Tahiri did while we were gone," Jacen asked teasingly. Anakin shrugged.
"Nothing much. Explode Mos Eis houses, tents, canyons... y'know, the usual."
"How you get along?"
"We got along just fine. It was good to see her again. I hope to see her again soon.
Very soon.