A/N: this is an AU story did i mention that? So if anything seems strange...it's meant to be. And i own nothing. It's all George Lucas's and the respective author's from whose text i borrowed. i'm just playing with the events the way i want them to. thanks for everyone's feedback.

The next few days passed in a blur for both Master and Padawan.

On Tattooine, Anakin spent much of his time with his mother, helping her with her daily duties, and sparring back and forth with his new step-brother Owen Lars.

In the ten years he had been gone, off training to become a Jedi, his mother Shmi had been traded again, and then freed by a moisture farmer named Cliegg Lars. After a time, they'd fallen in love, and gotten married.

Anakin had been overwhelmed by emotion when he saw her, happy, and glowing, looking younger than when he'd last seen her.

He had flown into her arms, and held her for what seemed like an age. All the stress, all the pain he had felt over missing her melted away.

Eventually she pulled away, to introduce him to her new family, and by extension, his.

The biggest event was, during an early morning meditation, Anakin had felt danger in the Force, he saw a vision of his mother being attacked, as she picked mushrooms off the evaporators, and he quickly leapt up and out after her.

She had only just begun the journey, and he insisted on accompanying her, despite her protests.

As the morning suns rose, both bloodred orange, he felt only peace in the Force. Not a thing disturbed them as they walked.

Once he thought he heard grumblings, and maybe the low of a Bantha, but when he reached for his belt to touch his lightsaber, silence reigned.

The rest of the day passed uneventfully, as did the rest of his time there.

Before he knew it, he was packing his minimal belongings and telling C-3PO goodbye.

"I'm sorry mom, but I've got to be heading back. I've still got Jedi duties to fulfill."

"Of course my son. Remember I love you. Always."

With one final hug and kiss on the cheek, he waved goodbye as he climbed into his starfighter, he glanced back to see Shmi with her arm around her husband, with Owen standing beside them both.

For her safety, and all of theirs, he had taught Owen a few basic fighting techniques. He prayed they'd never need them, but he would rather know his mother had protection than not.

"What is your suggestion Master Jedi?" Governor Sio Bibble, the white bearded advisor to the Queen of Naboo asked Obi-Wan the day he and the Senator had arrived and settled.

"With the Senator's permission, we'll lay low in the Lake Country, she knows of some places that are very isolated. My Padawan will be joining us within the week to provide extra protection for the Senator."

He glanced at her, her face peering out from a yellow lace veil, part of yet another amazing ensemble, barely less elaborate than the Queen's.

She gave him a smile, then nodded, adding,

"Of course, I'll need to stop by to assure my family of my safety, and then we will go to the Country directly."

"Perfect. It's settled then." Queen Jamilla's clipped Nubian accent had a tone of finality in it.

'Thank the gods Padme` hadn't tried to argue.' Obi-Wan thought as they walked out to the casual cruiser, where R2-D2 waited for them, beeping and whistling happily when they came into view.

Dinner at Padme's house had been a bit awkward; especially when her family seemed to jump to the conclusion Obi-Wan was a boyfriend she was bringing to 'meet the folks.' He was quick to set their minds straight, but he didn't miss the look that she shared with her sister.

As Padme` stood on the balcony, overlooking her parents generous backyard, she felt someone come up behind her, she smiled, the scent of Sola's lilac perfume preceding her teasing voice,

"Now how come you've never mentioned the handsome Jedi whose company you keep hmmm sister?"

Her arms wrapped around Padme's waist, pulling her into a tight hug, and she set her chin on Padme's shoulder, emphasizing her shortness.

Padme` sighed. The truth was, she had felt butterflies when she'd reunited with Anakin, and she had seen how her comment about him always being the sweet little boy who had sworn he'd marry her had hurt him. She had never gotten the chance to apologize, or explain. Yet he had rescued her from those deadly white worms that night and yet had managed to snap at her, as if it was her fault.

She was so mixed up about it all, she found herself unable to respond to Sola's joking words.

Was she falling for Obi-Wan also? Or instead? But soon, Anakin was to meet up with them, so then she'd have to talk to him, straighten everything out.

She turned to look at Sola,

"It's nothing sis. I've not mentioned him, because until a couple days ago I hadn't seen him in nearly a decade."

She finished and turned back to the setting sun, and the conversation was over.

The last few days Obi-Wan had spent with Padme` had had him walking a dangerous line. Every time he saw her, he understood more and more why his apprentice loved her.

Their first afternoon in the villa they had eaten lunch together and he found himself behaving like a young man.

"You mustn't tell Anakin I did this, or he'd never obey my authority again."

He carefully sliced a pear into 3 pieces and began levitating them one at a time over to Padme's plate.

She giggled, and reached up her fork to pick one out of the air, letting the others land.

"Thank you Master Jedi. I shall be sure to keep your less serious side a secret." She said teasingly. She was scared to admit it, but she loved this side of Obi-Wan. He was barely 10 years older than her, yet acted almost fatherly sometimes. It could be very frustrating.

Obi-Wan found himself regretting that afternoon. He had gotten carried away, and now as he looked at her, he became worried that she might start to have feelings for him. He certainly felt something more for her.

She could not afford to be distracted by a budding romance between two Jedi. Though it may not be completely forbidden for him, it wasn't a smart choice in their current situation.

A noise like a thunderbolt echoed through space as Anakin Skywalker's starfighter came into orbit around Naboo. Through the atmosphere he could see the green of the forests and blue of the oceans, so very different from his home world.

When he arrived at the Palace in Theed, Queen Jamilla was quick to give him directions to where his Master and Padme` were waiting for him.

As he drove a casual water speeder out to the Lake Country, he felt calm, and soothed by the force. All was well, and he was about to see Padme` soon. Then he frowned, remembering how they had parted. Though he had saved her life, he'd snapped at her as he had run off to find Obi-Wan. Not the best impression.

Padme` Amidala stood at the balcony, overlooking the beautiful lake, which flowed just behind their villa. She was wearing a stunning rainbow dress, which looked and felt like silk. Obi-Wan was inside meditating. He had assured her at breakfast Anakin would be arriving today, and that had set her stomach churning. She hadn't eaten a thing.

AAAAAAAh! I'm so nervous about this story. but it is complete. so i will be updating as much as time allows. Thanks for reading!