The next day, as Obi-Wan was sterilizing Padmé's self-induced wounds in the washroom, they heard a ship land on the balcony and a figure enter the apartment through the open threshold.
"Stay here and be quiet until I tell you it's safe," he instructed her. She nodded and hid behind the door.
He walked out silently and readied his lightsaber, but he didn't illuminate it yet.
"General Kenobi? Please, I know you're here," called a woman's voice.
He peeked into the living room, and sure enough, a young Togruta stood by the couch looking lost. "Yes?"
She looked at him, startled by his voice and sneaky movements. "Hi. I'm Ahsoka Tano."
"Have we met?"
"I don't think so. But don't worry. I'm a Jedi, too." She produced her own lightsaber.
"Is there something I can do for you, Ahsoka?"
"Is Senator Amidala present? Ever since the Order 66 incident, I've stayed in hiding, and have been training to become a doctor. Master Yoda sent me to stay here until you leave." Obi-Wan nodded in understanding. "Oh, he sent a hologram for proof." She brought out a small circular disc, from which a blue hologram sprung up.
"Greetings, General Kenobi. Sent the young Ahsoka to you, I have," the Jedi Master started. He repeated everything Ahsoka had said.
"I see. Yes, she's in the washroom. I was just cleaning her wounds."
"Wounds?" The Togruta girl sounded concerned. "Did something happen?"
"Recently, she's been depressed and suicidal. She slit her forearms last night. Sliced them from here to here." He traced his left forearm to show the approximate length of the cuts.
"May I see her?"
"Of course. Follow me."
When they reached the smallish washroom, Obi-Wan called to Padmé that everything was safe. Padmé came out from behind the door and inquired as to who Ahsoka was and why she was there, questions to which Obi-Wan provided sufficient answers.
"Let's have a look at your arms," Ahsoka requested.
Reluctantly, Padmé offered her forearms to Ahsoka.
"When did this happen?"
"Last night," Padmé said.
"You cleaned these?" Ahsoka asked, looking at Obi-Wan. He nodded. "Very well done."
"Thank you."
"I'll replace the gauze that was over them," Ahsoka stated, looking at the bloodied gauze lying on the counter. "Then I'd like to set up the ultrasound machine, so we can have a look at the little one, make sure it's developing correctly."
"I'll leave you two to be," Obi-Wan mentioned. "This is none of my business."
"You're fine. You can join us if you'd like," Padmé assured him.
"No, I really shouldn't."
"I would rather you do," she confirmed.
He nodded and smiled to show that he would stick around.
Not too long after, Padmé lay on her bed, the stained blanket removed and replaced with a fresh gray one. Obi-Wan sat in a chair by her side, holding her shoulder reassuringly. Ahsoka had already cleaned up the ultrasound equipment and exited to make tea for the three of them.
"Twins," Padmé breathed. "A boy and a girl."
"Congratulations," he said, genuinely happy for her. "Have you thought about names?"
"I haven't any in particular picked out yet."
"I'm sure you will soon."
Ahsoka reentered the room, carrying a tray with three cups of steaming tea placed upon it.
"Do you think either of them will have Anakin's strength in the Force?" Padmé asked Obi-Wan.
Ahsoka almost dropped the tray. "Anakin? As in the legendary Anakin Skywalker?"
"I wouldn't go that far," Padmé huffed.
"I would," Obi-Wan admitted, "considering the monster he's become."
"These are Anakin's children?" As soon as she saw Padmé's nod, she sat down, suddenly dizzy. "He never told me," she mumbled.
"Told you?" Obi-Wan stood. "You knew him?"
"I was his apprentice."
"What? The Council never spoke of him gaining a Padawan."
"What do you mean? He told me the Council appointed him to take me in."
"He hid you from the Council. He wasn't even finished being my apprentice."
"Why would he do that?"
"I don't know. He was never a liar."
"You speak of his becoming a monster. What do you mean by that?" Ahsoka inquired.
"He has become the Sith lord, Darth Vader, under Darth Sidious's mastership."
"No. Not Anakin."
"Yes, Anakin," Padmé affirmed.
"I apologize. I think I'll retire now."
"Of course," Obi-Wan said. "You may have the guest room. I'll stay with Padmé."
Ahsoka nodded wearily and left, shutting the doors.
"I don't need close watching all of the time." Padmé narrowed her eyes at him. Secretly, she was glad he'd said what she couldn't.
"Yes, I insist on it."
"Come on, then," she replied. She motioned for him to join her.
