Author's Note: While watching ROTS for the second time, it suddenly struck me how alike and yet different these two scenes are. This is very short, but it gnawed at me and begged to be written. Please let me know what you think.
Disclaimer: The characters belong to George Lucas. No infringement intended.
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"I'm sorry for my behavior, Master. It is not my place to disagree with you about the boy. I am grateful you think I am ready for the trials."
"You have been a good apprentice. You are much wiser than I am, Obi-Wan. I foresee you will become a great Jedi Knight."
Obi-Wan remembered that scene, which had taken place so many years ago, well. His own insecurities where his Master's approval was concerned and his happiness at Qui-Gon's words had stayed with him for many years. He had outgrown those insecurities some time ago, but he saw the same happiness reflected in Anakin's eyes now as he told him how proud he was.
He was on his way to hunt down General Grievous and if it were his choice, he would take Anakin with him. But his former apprentice needed to learn to heed the Council and it wouldn't help if he knew that his own Master didn't agree with their decision.
Obi-Wan didn't see Anakin happy very often and he relished every opportunity. And he had to admit that it felt good to be the source of that happiness. Hearing Anakin's apology to him had invigorated Obi-Wan and he felt as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He couldn't count the many times one of the Council members had admonished him to be careful where Anakin was concerned, to not let him get away with too much and not punish too lightly if the boy fell out of line.
As if they knew what they were talking about.
It was true that they had all trained Padawans of their own, but all of those children had been brought to the Temple at a young age and had been molded into the Jedi way long before being chosen as a Padawan. Anakin had been nothing like them and still wasn't. When Obi-Wan had first reluctantly taken him as his apprentice, Anakin had been starving for affection and even though Obi-Wan had seen it, at the time he had been unable to fulfil that need. He liked to think that he had managed to balance the role of a teacher and the role of a surrogate parent better in later years, but how could he be sure? He had never been sure of anything where Anakin was concerned.
But now as his former Padawan apologised for his behaviour, Obi-Wan felt the pride well up in him. While it didn't happen often, Obi-Wan cherished those moments just as much as Anakin cherished his old Master's praise. It gave him the feeling that no matter how many times he had made a mess of Anakin's training, he must have done something right after all. The situation was so much like the one on Naboo that Obi-Wan had to swallow hard and take a moment to compose himself. Things would turn out differently this time.
Giving the young man a smile of his own, Obi-Wan turned around and entered his ship. He didn't yet know the outcome of this mission, but he would make sure that this moment of happiness wouldn't be the last he experienced with his former Padawan. That conversation on Naboo had been the last time Qui-Gon had been proud of him, but it wouldn't be like that now. Obi-Wan wouldn't fail Anakin like he had failed Qui-Gon. He would come back alive and be there for Anakin and watch him be the Knight he had trained him to be.
The Force was with them this time.