Title: La' Estri

Summary: Without giving too much away...Obi-Wan and Anakin are enjoying some downtime at the Temple when Obi-Wan suddenly becomes involved in a series of strange events, which quickly spiral out of his control.

Pairing: Obi-Wan and Padme, of course!

Genre: Mystery, Action/Adventure, Romance, Fantasy

Warnings: I'm not sure at this point. All I can tell you is the plot gets kind of strange in a nightmarish sort of way later on. There may be some sexual content, there may be some violence.

Acknowledgements: GL ...man of all things Star Wars and the creator of my favorite playthings...Obi-Wan and Padme!

Rating: I'll try to stay in the T zone

Chapter One

It had never been spoken of, but everyone in the Temple knew it existed. They knew that particular Jedi teams were assigned particular tasks; that the council regarded some teams more talented in particular areas than others, and that certain ones fit certain situations. It had very little to do with rotations or seniority and had everything to do with experience and ability.

Since Anakin Skywalker had attained the level of Senior Padawan, not achieved by age, but rather by experience, education, and performance, he and his Master had been assigned missions which required how would his Padawan say it...'negotiations of a somewhat aggressive nature.'

Obi-Wan Kenobi didn't complain about it. He was still fairly young and in good physical shape, managing to stay alive thirty-four standard years so far, but he was aware of the reasons behind the recent series of difficult assignments. Even though he was a skilled negotiator, he was also known for his skills as a swordsman. And his Padawan, having taken first place in the Senior Padawan Lightsaber Competition, was pretty handy with his weapon as well.

He was beginning to learn, however, like he and his own Master had, he and Anakin simply worked well together. They also fought well together. They could read each other's intentions, knew each other's actions before they were executed, and most importantly, watched each other's backs. And the Jedi Council knew it.

He hated to say it, but Obi-Wan enjoyed going into battle with his young charge. It was an exhilirating experience. During an engagement, their minds would become attuned through their training bond, and when Obi-Wan would feign, Anakin would go on the offense, and vice versa. Their attacks were more like a dance than a fight; a well-rehearsed performance choreographed by the Force.

However, he also enjoyed those missions which required nothing more than providing additional security or witnessing a significant historical event. A peaceful assignement with a peaceful resolution and very little negotiating involved.

What Obi-Wan did not enjoy was idleness, especially now that Anakin had completed all of his educational courses at the Temple. It left the youth very little to do during a hiatus other than annoy his Master, which he was choosing to do now.

"What are you reading?" Anakin asked as he lazily threw himself across the overstuffed chair in their shared apartment.

Obi-Wan eyed the lad over his black-rimmed spectacles. "Master Mundi's 'Jedi Theism and Sustainability in the Central Core'," he answered, fighting the urge to smile when noticing the frown of disgust form on his Padawan's face.

"Are you joking? Wasn't that required reading when you were a padawan?"

"The second edition, yes," the Jedi Master replied, trying to focus upon the words instead of his student's impending sense of boredom, "but this is the third. I find it a fascinating study."

"Ugh! I can't take it!" the young man blurted out before charging from the room. The statement came as a surprise to Obi-Wan. They had only been on-site for three standard days so far, and already his Padawan was complaining?

When the council had informed Obi-Wan it would probably be two tenths until they were needed in the field again, in his mind, he had begun planning out all his future free time. He had a lot of catching up to do on his reading, and there was that sculpture of the Temple of Knowledge on Tython he needed to complete. He was just getting comfortable and settled in and already Anakin was going Temple crazy?

When Obi-Wan noticed his student bringing out a datatext, however, he assumed he had misunderstood the youth's outburst. It apparently wasn't his lack of activity which was annoying his Padawan, but his choice of activity.

The young man plucked the thick philosophy volume from his Master's hand and replaced it with a thin pad. Obi-Wan read the title and cringed.

"That's the number one text in the Temple right now," his Padawan declared proudly.

"Where? In the creche?" Obi-Wan responded sarcastically, turning on the reader to skim the book summary.

"Ha ha," Anakin sneered, "no, Master. Amongst juniors, seniors and young knights. You should read it."

"I'm not sure," Obi-Wan began as he finished a portion of the synopsis. "It doesn't appear to be my preference of material." How could he explain to Anakin that digesting this style of trite and simplistic dissertation only softened one's brain? And do it in a way that wouldn't hurt his feelings?

"What? It's totally wizard! You have to read it!"

It had been a long time since Obi-Wan had seen Anakin this excited about a text. The last time had been after he had read a ridiculous story about a young girl who happened upon a secret doorway leading to a magical universe filled with silans, barrickles, and glooths. Obi-Wan had refused to read that story even following Anakin's insistence and it had disappointed the young man. But that was four years ago. Anakin was now seventeen, and perhaps his taste had matured as well. At least, he hoped it had.

Obi-Wan skeptically eyed the datatext once more. Judging by its cover and summary, it was a tale with just enough gore to attract a male audience, with enough romance thrown in to secure a female one. He felt he couldn't dishearten his student again, so he finally shook his head in agreement.

"All right," Obi-Wan said, tilting back his rapidly-cooling cup of tea. "I'll give it a try."

"Great! I'm going to go visit Senator Amidala. She has the complete set, and after you finish reading that one, you'll want to read the second." Anakin announced, grabbing his cloak and palming open the door before Obi-Wan had a chance to reply.

He doubted he was going to want to devour the set, but he needed to at least give the first book a try, he decided.

With a sigh of surrender, the Jedi Master set down his empty cup, leaned back in his favorite chair and began reading chapter one.