Thank you heartily for the reviews. Apologies for the very late update, but I won't be updating regularly. Though reviews tend to be nice kick in the Muse...

Disclaimer: Still not mine.


"…and then I kinda crashed in the control ship because all systems were overheated, and there were droids all around us, but R2 managed to repair the particle deflector shield, while I accidentally fired at the main reactor and we had to blast out of there--"

Anakin's voice echoed with excitement as it bounced off the vaulted marble corridor in the guest wing of the Royal Theed Palace. Walking softly toward the impressive sunlit alcove where the storyteller sat, Obi-Wan smiled to himself as he took in the surprised countenance of Anakin's audience. Amazingly, it appeared to be his first listening. "I see you keep forgetting to mention how you got there in the first place."

"Obi-Wan!"

Anakin threw himself at the padawan, almost bouncing with excitement and not a little relief that Obi-Wan was back. Returning the embrace, Obi-Wan tossed a quick look at the tall knight standing off to the side and found ice blue eyes regarding him with amusement. Really the affection was a bit embarrassing, but Anakin demanded his full attention and the small comfort was more than welcome. With a sheepish smile in Xanatos' direction, he addressed the boy whose hands were firmly attached to his robes. "Hello to you too, Ani."

Pulling away slightly, the boy gave him a blindingly unapologetic grin. "You're back."

"I promised, didn't I? I see you've met Xan."

"Yup. And he's been telling me loads of stories! You and Master Qui-Gon at the Malastare races, the flying stuffed Wookie, stopping a murder at the Intergalactic Athletic Tournament, the padawan rebellion in the refectory…"

"Had time for all that, did he?" Obi-Wan murmured. A narrowed glance to his left revealed the dark haired knight to be engaged in study of the intricate tiling pattern on the floor.

"Is it true that you and Knight Muln made Master Windu's hair fall out?" Xanatos flinched and had the decency to look embarrassed at Anakin's question. Not that it would save him from Obi-Wan; Xan knew him better than that.

He ignored the question completely. "I have a surprise for you, Ani."

With a puzzled look, Anakin allowed Obi-Wan to guide him down the main corridor and off to the left into a well-protected guest room. It was no less luxurious than any of the other rooms designed to accommodate various heads of state, yet it was noticeably smaller, tucked into a forgotten niche overlooking the Eliste Gardens to the south. Filled comfortably with classic Nubian craftsmanship and rich fabrics in colorful soothing tones, it was a perfect compliment to the lush vegetation easily visible through the windows. It fit with Obi-Wan's plan for security and Padme's expression of gratitude and respect.

Understandably, all of this was completely lost on Anakin, whose attention was captivated by quite a different kind of beauty.

"Mom!"

He didn't remember getting there, but suddenly his mother was ruffling his hair in that annoying way which made it stick up everywhere. Anakin opened his mouth but he couldn't find the words to tell her to stop. With his arms wrapped fiercely around her neck, his mother whispered nothings of love and home and the desperate hunger in his heart eased. He'd been so sure he'd never see her again, despite his promise. Anakin felt his eyes itching and knew he was too old to be crying, but so much had happened and now Mom was really here, that today he didn't care about the sand in his eyes.

When he finally pried his eyes open again, his face suspiciously wet, he saw the tall dark master -- bald, must be Master Windu, he thought -- speaking softly to Obi-Wan. The master's stern face said he was actually yelling at him in that quiet way grown-ups seemed to have. Obi-Wan looked exhausted, but he must have sensed Anakin watching because he turned and caught Anakin's stare. His arms tightened around his mother and Anakin smiled as he thought he saw the padawan's eyes become a brilliant green.

Obi-Wan winked at him.

In that moment, he became Anakin's greatest hero.

XXXXX

With a stinging admonition from Master Windu to appear before the Council in the morning ringing in his ears, Obi-Wan held together his mask of serenity long enough for the Council member to leave. But not long enough to fool the friend who stood silently by his side. Probably would have seen through it anyway, he thought.

With a last look at Shmi and Anakin, who seemed to be talking non-stop now that he'd regained his voice, Obi-Wan typed a short message on the com console and let his companion precede him as they left the room. They headed toward Obi-Wan's own guest rooms, every bit as lavishly elegant as Lady Skywalker's. He'd tried to refuse them as too extravagant for a Jedi, but predictably her majesty had smiled at him beneath her painted mask and told him, "You are a hero of Naboo, Jedi Kenobi. The least we can do is offer a soft place to sleep." When he saw the bed, he thanked the Force she'd insisted.

Obi-Wan could almost feel the questions tripping over themselves to knock on his shields as the door closed behind them. Just as Xanatos opened his mouth to launch his interrogation, Obi-Wan slipped in, "You realize that I can hack into your quarters any time I wish."

Xanatos hesitated only a moment before replying in the same light tone, "You try keeping that boy occupied when he's got his mind on something. He could rival you for sheer stubbornness."

Obi-Wan simply looked at him silently. Xanatos sighed, "Just as long as you stay away from the 'fresher this time." With a pointed look, he added, "I've heard Master Gallia has been rather anxious to acquire a certain security recording."

A casual "Oh?" was his only reply.

"It seems that two rather adventurous padawans decided to race through the Grand Hall on hover boards. Naked."

Obi-Wan successfully controlled the urge to blush. "Xan, do you remember the Festival of Light two years ago?"

"Vaguely."

"Pity. I never knew the human body could be so…flexible. Though if you're feeling curious, I'm sure Masters Koon and Billaba could help refresh your memory. I believe they've worn out the playback on their vidscreens." The horrified disbelief on Xan's face was incredibly satisfying. "So, how've you been?"

Xanatos blinked at him. He seemed a bit slow to catch on to the game this evening. Obi-Wan wondered if perhaps Anakin hadn't worn him out more than he'd thought. Or perhaps he was just amazed at the effectiveness of Obi-Wan's skill in detachment. He should be; Obi-Wan was clinging to it tenaciously.

"I've been bored mostly. Babysitting some monarchs, exposing a few corrupt Senators, stopping a civil war or two."

"Sounds dreadfully dull," Obi-Wan responded dryly. "Any explosions?"

"Of course. But that was from the coup on Pranthius IV. Can you believe there are liberals who actually think the people should control the government? A whispered word or three, a timely accident, and suddenly everyone is calling for revolution armed with slug-throwers and hydro-spanners. Thoroughly misguided, the lot of them." Xanatos' eyes sparkled with mischief.

"Ah yes, the universally sanctioned chaos called democracy. Put them to rights did you?"

"Well, it certainly was a challenge to appear neutral, but I find I quite like being the mastermind behind planetary conflicts. After all, must keep in practice if I'm going to take over the galaxy," he informed Obi-Wan haughtily.

"Naturally."

With a contemptuous sniff, Xanatos continued, "I was enjoying a particularly vicious verbal duel between the High Priest and the Chief of Arms on Tarak Sul. I was about to win my bet with the Prime Minister on who would throw the first punch when Master Yoda kindly 'requested' my presence here."

All levity abruptly vanished, forcing Obi-Wan to wade through what was left. "Actually, that was my fault. I requested you."

Xanatos' lifted eyebrow spoke more eloquently than words ever could.

Obi-Wan released a deep sigh, and absently rubbed at his temple to stave off the impending headache. "It''s…complicated."

Taking in Obi-Wan's pinched features, Xanatos dropped all pretense and said quietly, "So start from the beginning."

"I'm sure you've heard pieces of it from Anakin."

Xanatos scoffed. "Which only tells me that I really need to hear what happened from you, otherwise I'm going to be strangling our dear master as soon as he wakes up."

But is he going to wake up? Obi-Wan cut off that train of thought immediately, though it warmed his heart to hear Xan speak so confidently of Qui-Gon's return.

"I know you've…disagreed in the past--" he valiantly ignored the incredulity on Xan's face "--but this really isn't Master's fault. He did the only thing he could do and followed the will of the Force."

"And sod anyone else. Obi-Wan, you're not convincing me he shouldn't be drop-kicked halfway across the planet. I suggest you tell me what happened and before Anakin remembers the rest of the world exists. I won't be able to pry him away from you with a lightsaber."

"Ani wouldn't--"

"Spill. Now."

Another deep sigh prompted Xanatos to take a second look at his 'little brother'. He'd known Obi-Wan was beyond tired and stretched almost to the point of breaking. It was difficult to hide from someone that had learned to read him so well. But something fundamental had changed. It was written in the weary tension of his shoulders, the mounting lines of stress at the corners of his mouth, the imperceptible tremor of fingers that he carefully hid in his robes. But mostly, it was in the eyes and that worried Xanatos most. He was so lost in contemplation of that disquieting difference that he almost missed Obi-Wan's soft words.

"It started as a simple negotiation, a political move by Chancellor Vallorum to force the Trade Federation to back down from their blockade. One moment we were sitting in a conference room sipping tea and awaiting our less than gracious hosts, the next…we were rescuing the Queen from the invading army."

"All in all, a typical mission for you then," Xanatos broke in with a wry smile.

Obi-Wan returned the smile faintly. "We managed to break through the blockade, but not unscathed. Tatooine was the logical choice to stop for repairs and it felt right, like we were being pulled toward it."

"Anakin."

Obi-Wan nodded. "Master was the first to pick up on it. And through some questionable means, we acquired a hyper drive generator and an extra passenger."

"I don't think I want to know," Xan muttered.

"Before we left, Master encountered…a warrior. It appeared to have been tracking us and though Master escaped, it shook him." And me, he added silently. He hid it well for Anakin's sake, but he didn't think he'd ever seen Master Qui-Gon so unsettled after a fight.

"We returned to Coruscant and briefed the Council. Master requested that Anakin be tested," he ignored Xan's rolling eyes, "and eventually, the Council agreed. They concluded that Anakin was talented, but declined to accept him as an initiate. Master…argued that Anakin should be trained despite his age and that he…would do well with more intense individual guidance as a padawan." Obi-Wan's detachment was wavering and Xan was observing him far too closely.

Xanatos regarded him intently for a long moment before commenting, "You honor Qui-Gon's teachings well, Obi-Wan, both in loyalty and diplomacy. But that's not the story I heard from Anakin."

"What I've said is true," he protested weakly.

"And therein lies the skill of diplomacy." He waited for Obi-Wan to reply but silence was all he received. Xanatos continued, "The Council rejected Anakin for training. He was not going to be a Jedi as Qui-Gon promised. So the rebel did what he's always done: charged ahead single mindedly, because of course Master Qui-Gon Jinn could never be wrong when it comes to the will of the Force. He claimed Anakin as his padawan."

Obi-Wan's face remained carefully blank as he listened, but his stomach twisted as he recalled Master's voice proudly declaring Anakin his padawan learner. A validation Obi-Wan had fought for desperately and had seemingly good cause to doubt. "You can't blame him for wanting to take Ani--"

Xanatos cut him off, angry and unforgiving. "He tossed you aside."

Like an invisible hand, Xan's words sliced through his fragile body to grasp the pulsing organ lying battered and bruised in Obi-Wan's chest. Without care or finesse, cold greedy fingers squeezed and shredded his heart with sharp nails before ripping it free from his flesh, leaving him as empty as the bond in his mind.

"Obi-Wan?"

He stared ahead, grey eyes unseeing, his whole being focused on the distinct absence of feeling. He could touch the Force, knew that it reached back toward him as he reached for it, but the ever-present warmth that usually filled him was missing. Instead a creeping cold replaced it, slithering up his spine and coiling up inside his stomach like a stone. As his awareness turned outward, Obi-Wan saw that Xanatos was worried, nearly frantic at his lack of response. He tried to summon the will to care, to reassure, but there was nothing.

"Obi-Wan?! Are you alright?"

Meeting Xanatos' blue eyes -- they look so warm now, he thought -- Obi-Wan answered calmly, "I'm fine."


to be continued