Chapter 2: Open Mouth and Insert Foot

Obi-Wan meant what he told Lyyr. He was glad he had an opportunity to see her although he could have done without getting the wind knocked out of him and his solar plexus bruised in the process. He was slightly miffed that he barely got a hello from the girl, but his aggravation evaporated when he saw that the years apart had not damaged the 'siblings' relationship. At one point, he had been afraid that it would, he was relived and resigned to see that nothing changed between the two.

As Lyyr stood there staring up at Anakin, Obi-Wan realized for the first time just how petite the girls build really was. He had never thought of her as being delicate before, her brusque manners during the time he had known her discouraged those kind of thoughts. Now, well now it was obvious to Obi-Wan (even after only bumping into her for a minute) that Lyyr had changed. She seemed more serene, more balanced than before. Clearly, her apprenticeship had provided exactly what she needed.

Qui-Gon would have been proud of her, Obi-Wan thought with a bit of pride of his own. Even though he did not have a hand in Lyyr's apprenticeship, he could not help but feel a sort of propriety pride over the growth she had accomplished. He told himself that he felt that way simply because he looked upon Lyyr as a younger sister.

He could only hope that his torturing of Anakin was producing the same effects. Some days, however, he despaired of ever getting the boy to take things seriously. The boy had a knack for finding trouble coupled with a complete disregard for the rules that often left Obi-Wan on the verge of an aplitic fit. If he was a bit heavy-handed with the boy, he told himself that he needed to be. He realized that life on Tatooine had forced Anakin to mature at a rapid rate but once taken out of that situation and allowed to be a child; Anakin swiftly developed a mischievous nature that he felt safe to indulge. Besides, the onslaught of hormones as he entered his teenage years did nothing to help calm the boy.

In fact, it made matters worse for Obi-Wan and he found himself wondering how Qui-Gon ever managed to mentor a teenage boy. Even as someone who had been inducted into the Order at the appropriate aged and had all the benefits of basic training Obi-Wan had been a holy terror as an adolescent. Anakin had none of the advantages that Obi-Wan took for granted, therefore when puberty struck Obi-Wan found that he had a virtual hormone-feed monster on his hands, not the mature and tractable boy Qui-Gon had discovered on Tatooine.

He often wished that he did not have to take such a firm hand with Anakin. He did enjoy the boy's company and some of his pranks were not only innocent but also highly entertaining. Obi-Wan was often amazed to see that the boy managed to retain such a healthy sense of humor, and he soon came to realize that he had Lyyr to thank (or curse) for that. Obi-Wan understood the unlikely sibling relationship better than anyone other than those two could now. Anakin loved to tell stories that featured his big sister and her adventures, his favorite to tell were those that included him.

She once had the audacity to 'borrow' one of Watto's speeders and along with Anakin; she took it on a joyride throughout Mos Espa. Oh, Watto had been angry when she finally returned the speeder but she had calmly explained to him that she was teaching Anakin how to pilot the speeder with the intention of improving his skills as a pod racer. Watto had sputtered and raved at her daring and had even punished her for it, but both Anakin and Lyyr knew that he was pleased. Especially since in the next podrace Anakin managed to make it to the second lap before crashing, which was a new record.

At times, Obi-Wan did not know whether he should believe that particular story, ad most of the others, but Anakin always told them with such sincerity that Obi-Wan could not doubt them. If Lyyr really had taught Ani how to pilot a speeder, than Obi-Wan knew without a doubt that he never wanted to ride in one with Lyyr at the controls. He had already suffered enough with a wannabe daredevil pilot; he did not need to subject himself to the mercy of another. Particular if said other had instructed the one he already had to deal with.

All of this occupied Obi-Wan's mind as he and his padawan made their way to Senator Amidala's apartment. It was not until they had made it to the Senate Building that he became aware of what was occupying his padawan's mind. Obi-Wan bit back a sigh; he should have known that the young Senator would have featured prominently in Anakin's mind. The boy had some kind of fixation on Padmé. It had probably started back when they participated in the blockade of Naboo and Padmé had still been Queen. Obi-Wan did not know what had put the notion in Anakin's head but it was obvious to him now that the boy was infatuated.

It was that knowledge that made him question the wisdom of the Council's decision. Clearly, the Senator needed some form of protection, but placing him and Anakin in charge might have proven to be a mistake. Master Windu must have sensed Obi-Wan's misgivings for he made it clear that Senator Amidala had only agreed to endure the Council's protection because Obi-Wan and Anakin had been chosen for that role. Master Windu also made it clear that it was Chancellor Palpatine who had suggested both the extra guard and who it would be; moreover, if not for the Chancellor's input the Council would have chosen another pair of Jedi. Mace had even hinted that he would have suggested he and Lyyr perform that role if he had not known that the Senator was uncomfortable in his presence. Her safety was their top priority but they could not have efficiently provided that if she was uncomfortable. Therefore, the Council had reluctant agreed that in this matter the Chancellor had been right.

It was while they were riding in the windowed elevator that Obi-Wan saw his chance to address his padawan's nervousness with him. When he caught Anakin nervously rearranging his robes and brushing off invisible specks of dust Obi-Wan could no longer remain silent.

"You seem a little on edge, Anakin." He observed sounding calmer than he felt.

"Not at all," was the slightly sarcastic reply. Obi-Wan felt his lips twitch at the boy's cheek.

"I haven't felt you this tense since we fell into that nest of gundarks." Obi-Wan pressed.

"You fell into that nightmare, Master, and I rescued you remember?"

"Oh," Obi-Wan said letting himself sound surprise and allowing a chuckle to escape. Anakin joined in on his Master's amusement but it was hesitant and hedged with nerves.

"You're sweating. Relax," Obi-Wan admonished.

"I haven't seen her in ten years, Master." Was Anakin's reply and Obi-Wan knew he was not talking about Lyyr. He also knew that there was no reply he could make to that. The rode the rest of the way up to the Senator's apartment in silence, and Obi-Wan found himself wishing that Lyyr had been assigned this mission with them. Perhaps she could have convinced Anakin to relax.


Anakin tired to relax, but the closer the elevator brought them to her the harder he found it to relax. He wanted oh-so-badly to make a good impression. He had already forgotten about his sister now that the moment he would be reacquainted with Padmé was swiftly approaching. The key to making a good impression, he coached himself, is to appear professional while delivering a smooth line.

Anakin was confident that he could do both of those things, at least he had been until the reality of Padmé's beauty hit him. The intoxicating goddess he had been dreaming about for the past ten years was hideous in comparison to the vision before him. She had done the impossible by becoming more beautiful than he was capable of imagining. He found himself in a state of speechless befuddlement as Padmé came forward to formally great Obi-Wan. When she moved to stand before him, Anakin was nearly shaking with the effort of restraining himself from falling at her feet and worshiping her.

"Ani?" She asked her voice uncertain and she took a quick double take, "My goodness, you've grown."

Vaguely Anakin remembered Lyyr saying the same thing, and he was disappointed that that was the only thing Padmé could think to say. He stared at her for a moment, here was his chance, and with a mental shake, he reminded himself to speak.

"So have you…" he began in the most debonair voice he could think of, "grown more beautiful, I mean…for a Senator, I mean." He finished lamely; he did not need Obi-Wan's disapproving expression to tell him that he messed that one up. Nice going Romeo, he chided himself, now she will think you're retarded.

"Oh Ani, you'll always be that little boy I knew on Tatooine." She told him with a dismissive giggle. Anakin now found himself fighting the urge to curl up in a corner and die. He was glad that Obi-Wan was there to continue as if nothing had happened. He concentrated on regain some of the face he had lost as they made their way to the couches, the last thing he needed her thinking was that he was incompetent. Anakin barely paid any attention to what Obi-Wan or Captain Typho said but when she spoke again he was all ears.

"I don't need more security," she declared with all of the spirit and confidence he remembered, "I need answers. I want to know who is trying to kill me."

"We're here to protect you Senator," Obi-Wan said dismissing her concerns as Anakin knew he would, "not to start an investigation." Anakin resisted the urge to elbow his Master, what was Obi-Wan thinking, making them appear like cowards in front of her.

"We will find out who's trying to kill you Padmé, I promise you." Force, Anakin swore, now I am in for it. He did not know why he always felt the need to challenge Obi-Wan's authority, but he did. He wouldn't be surprised if Obi-Wan decided to disown him this time.

"We will not exceed our mandate, my young padawan learner." Obi-Wan chided trying to save some face.

"I meant in the interest of protecting her, Master, of course." Anakin continued, he had not meant to sound so insolent but as always, he found it impossible to stop himself.

"We will not go through this exercise again, Anakin." Obi-Wan told him, allowing some of his anger to show. "And you will pay attention to my lead."

"Why?" Might as well, Anakin figured, I have already gotten myself stuck in the bantha poodoo, might as well lay it on thick.

"What!?"

"Why else do you think we were assigned to protect her, if not to find the killer? Protection is a job for local security…not Jedi. It's overkill, Master. Investigation is implied in our mandate."

"We will do exactly as the Council has instructed, and you will learn your place, young one." Anakin winced internally at that one, now he really was in trouble.

"Perhaps with merely our presence, the mysteries surrounding this threat will be revealed." Padmé interjected trying to smooth everything over. Obi-Wan gave her a rather tight smile and nod and Anakin opted for remaining silent. They conducted the rest of their interview with Anakin refraining from putting his foot in his mouth. By the time Senator Amidala retired Anakin hoped he had managed to prove that he was capable of minding his Master.

"Mesa busten wit happiness seein yousa again, Ani." Jar Jar told him as soon as Padmé had left. Anakin smiled at the exuberant Gungan. "Deesa bad times, bombad times." He continued with a gravity Anakin was not used to seeing him display. Ani normally would have responded to exactly what Jar Jar had said but his mind was occupied by the thoughts of another.

"She hardly recognized me, Jar Jar. I've thought about her every day since we parted…and she's forgotten me completely." Anakin told him unable to keep the disappointment and dejection out of his voice.

"Shesa happy." Jar Jar told him, trying to be helpful. "Happier den mesa seein her in longo time."

"Anakin, you're focusing on the negative again, be mindful of your thoughts." Obi-Wan chided him. "She was pleased to see us." He told the boy giving Anakin reason to hope once again. That hope made it easier for him to focus on his mandate…well the one he had determined for himself, not the one the Council had given him.