Anakin was lying down, settled back onto his pillows, the next time he woke up. He blinked and shifted lightly, his arm brushing up against something next to him. Looking down, he smiled. It seemed he'd fallen asleep on Obi-Wan after their talk, and his master had put Anakin back on the bed, himself having slumped into sleep on the bedside sometime after. Anakin had watched Obi-Wan age thirty years in the past few days, but in sleep he seemed at peace, his many burdens slipping from his shoulders if only for a moment.

Anakin lay there, unwilling to face the day, unwilling to wake up Obi-Wan up just yet. The medical center thrummed around him, machines beeping and doctors chattering around the floor. Something felt strange. Not bad, not at all, but…different. He'd noticed it when he'd first woken up, but he hadn't had a chance to think about it. But now he felt it. Clearly. He felt everything clearly. While he'd felt the Force more closely than most Jedi, Anakin felt like a pressure on his chest had been lifted, like a heavy layer had been removed, one Anakin hadn't even realized was there. And then there was his heartbeat. And his breaths. They were in tandem with Obi-Wan's. It felt like everything was beating together, everything in synchrony and in light. Anakin felt more at peace than he had since the last time he'd held Padme in his arms.

Padme.

For the first time since he'd made his vows, Anakin could think of his beautiful wife without the nagging frustration of keeping their love a secret. He didn't know what would happen with them now, or what would happen after the war, but he felt okay about it. Because Obi-Wan knew. And Obi-Wan would help them.

I wish I could tell Padme, thought Anakin ruefully. I hope she's ok with me telling Obi-Wan. He had a feeling she would be. Padme may be a politician, but she was open. She guarded her feelings more carefully than Anakin, more intelligently, but she disliked any form of dishonesty, even necessary secrets. Anakin laughed silently. Between Maul and Obi-Wan he had quite a list to update his wife on.

Anakin blinked. Update. List. Oh kriff.

"Obi-Wan?" said Anakin, reaching out to shake his master. "Hey, um Obi-Wan? Can you wake up?"

Obi-Wan was awake instantly, hair ruffled as he looked at Anakin's monitors. "Anakin? Are you ok? What happened? Do I need to call the doctor?"

"Nothing! Nothing," said Anakin hastily. "Just uh, had a thought."

"A thought?" said Obi-Wan rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "Well there's a first time for everything, I suppose."

"Ha ha," said Anakin, "I'm glad your sarcasm survived the past week."

"Thank the Force for small miracles," said Obi-Wan leaning back in his chair. "So. Your thought?"

"I was wondering if you had a communicator nearby," said Anakin casually, "Just, um, wanted to make sure Padme wasn't worrying, 'cause, well, you know about us now, and she just, you know, is married. To me. And—"

"Don't stress yourself, Anakin," said Obi-Wan, slightly amused at his apprentice's flustered sentences. "I'm sure she's not worrying any more than usual. We didn't make Maul's return or your kidnapping public, so she'll likely just think you're on one of your regular missions. There's no way she could know about your injuries or the fact that you were even missing in the first place."

"Well," began Anakin slowly. "You- you know our database? The one that has a list of all active Jedi? And their locations? And—"

"Their health status?" said Obi-Wan narrowing his eyes. "I'm sure you don't mean the highly classified database with heavily restricted access, especially to non-Jedi?"

Anakin suddenly became very interested in the ceiling. "It is possible that I may have taught Padme how to hack that list."

"You—"

"We hardly get to see each other, Obi-Wan!" protested Anakin. "And she likes to know how I am, even if it's bad. So, she's probably worried sick, especially if they listed me as critical at any point."

"Anakin," said Obi-Wan, through gritted teeth, "It's incredibly irresponsible to give anyone unauthorized access to that list."

"Please, Obi-Wan," said Anakin, "Please help me talk to her."

"I need to update the Council soon on your condition anyway," said Obi-Wan pinching the bridge of his nose. "They'll update our highly classified list and then she'll see that you're fine." He huffed. "I really thought Padme would have enough sense for both of you."

"That's mean," pouted Anakin. "I have sense."

"You have nonsense," muttered Obi-Wan. "But," he continued louder, "I don't see why it can't wait. You're going to be fine, and she'll figure it out."

Anakin looked up at Obi-Wan, giving him the best sad eyes an injured boy with a one arm could muster. "Please, Obi-Wan. Please. I need to talk to her."

Obi-Wan looked at Anakin for a long moment before sighing. "The comm's on the ship. I'll go get it."

Anakin face split into a grin, thanks spilling along the bond. "I owe you, Master. Thank you."

Obi-Wan shook his head, rising from his seat. "We're not done talking about this, Anakin," he said warningly, but there was no real bite in the threat. Anakin could feel Obi-Wan's pleasure at seeing Anakin awake and happy after the horrors of the past week.

"Thank you," he repeated as he watched Obi-Wan sweep out of the room.


Obi-Wan was making his way back to the medical center, admiring the palace's architecture as he walked. He'd always liked the palace, its large windows allowing sunshine to tumble into the hallways as the clouds drifted through the sky. Mandalore had suffered much throughout its history, but the planet was beautiful and resilient.

Just like its leader, mused Obi-Wan wistfully before the thought stopped him in his tracks. No. He couldn't let himself think like this. 'Attachment is forbidden' reminded a mechanical voice in his head.

But you've stomped all over that rule, haven't you? He'd opened himself up to Anakin, had changed his very Force signature through their new bond and new acknowledgement of their connection. And despite what he may chew Anakin out for, Obi-Wan genuinely felt happy for his apprentice. Where he may have once felt fear or disappointment he felt…rightness. Padme completed Anakin. She balanced him out. Obi-Wan was still afraid for them, afraid of where their path may lead, but he also accepted that their path did not necessarily end in destruction. There was a path that ended in hope as well.

So why couldn't I do the same with Satine?

They could. He knew Satine cared for him, just as he cared for her. They had admitted it to each other. Obi-Wan allowed himself to picture, just for a moment, himself and Satine after the war, together in peace. It was a beautiful thought, one that sang with rightness. But was it even possible? Did Satine even care for him anymore? Satine had been incredibly gracious in facilitating Anakin's treatment, but she'd been awfully cold to Obi-Wan himself.

Perhaps we've closed that door far too many times to open it even once more.

"Obi-Wan?"

Obi-Wan jerked his head up, yanked from his reverie. "S-Satine?"

Satine was there, standing before him in the middle of the hallway with sunlight bouncing off her earrings. She looked wonderful, as she always did, as she took in the sight of the Jedi before her. Stepping forward slowly, she reached out her hand and settled it on Obi-Wan cheek, fingers gently stroking his bead. "You're alright," she whispered.

"I-yes," said Obi-Wan softly, unsure of what to say. "It was Anakin that got the worst of it."

"Oh," said Satine, slowly dropping her arm and folding her hands into a diplomatic manner. "Yes. Yes, of course. How is Knight Skywalker?"

"Much better," said Obi-Wan bowing his head. "He has just woken up and seems to be doing well. I cannot thank you enough for saving him."

"I think you did most of the saving, Obi-Wan," said Satine her lips quirking into a smile. "I'd like to think I just cleaned up after your mess. As I always do."

"I don't make messes," protested Obi-Wan weakly, "I am capable of being responsible."

"If that's what helps you sleep at night, I'll allow you to continue thinking so," laughed Satine softly. She paused, taking Obi-Wan in again. "It really is good to see you in person, Obi-Wan. Very, very good. I—"

"'I'—what is it, Satine?" asked Obi-Wan when she failed to continue.

"It's nothing," said Satine, and Obi-Wan could feel her drawing into herself again.

"Satine," he pleaded, reaching out to her. "Please talk to me. You've been rather cold—"

"I've been cold?" snapped Satine, eyes flashing. "Obi-Wan, you—" She stopped, turning away. "It's nothing. I'm afraid you'll have to excuse me now, I have meetings to attend, Master Jedi."

"Satine," said Obi-Wan grabbing her arm. "Please. If it's something I've done—"

"It's what you didn't do, Obi-Wan," said Satine pulling away from him. "Why can't you see that?"

"See what—"

"Duchess?"

Obi-Wan and Satine turned to see Zeria running up the hallway. "Duchess Satine? The district representative from Sector 7 is here to see you."

Satine closed her eyes, shaking her head. "Is it about the food shortage?"

Zeria nodded, eyes worried. "Yes, Duchess."

Obi-Wan frowned, turning to Satine. "Mandalore is having a food shortage?"

"With all due respect, this is not a matter for the Jedi," said Satine coolly. "Thank you for updating me on Knight Skywalker's status. Good day, Master Jedi."

Obi-Wan faltered as he watched Satine and Zeria make their way down the hallway, confusion and hurt mixing within him. He sighed. Perhaps attachment to Satine would not become a problem anyway.


Anakin frowned as Obi-Wan stormed out the door after he dropped off the comm with a mumbled "You're welcome." He worried that it was something he'd done, though his instincts told him there was something else at work here. When Obi-Wan fought with Anakin, he tended to overthink and become broody. But if Anakin didn't know any better, he might even say that Obi-Wan was sulking.

But right now wasn't about Obi-Wan. Heart beating in eager anticipation, Anakin settled the comm on his lap and punched in the code. He might be married, but the thrill of seeing his wife had never managed to fade.

"Ani? Is that you?"

"Hi, Angel," said Anakin softly, his face beaming at the small projection of his wife. "How are you?"

"How am I? Worried sick! Ani, what happened? Where have you been? Where is your arm?"

"I'm okay!" he said hurriedly. "Just some bumps and bruises."

"A missing arm is not a 'bump,' Anakin."

"Ah, ok so maybe a little more than a bump," said Anakin sheepishly. "But I really am ok."

Padme's face softened a bit. "Good. You better come back to me in piece, Skywalker. But, really, what happened?"

"The short version?" sighed Anakin. "Remember Maul? Yeah, he came back to get Obi-Wan. So, he decided he'd try to kill me first and then take out Obi-Wan to get revenge. But Obi-Wan kicked his ass and now we're on Mandalore so that I can recover. And get a new arm."

"That really was the short version," said Padme raising an eyebrow.

"You don't know the half of it," said Anakin. "But, um Padme. There's a lot I have to explain, but you should really know that, I uh did something without asking you. I—I told Obi-Wan about us. About our marriage."

"You told him?"

"And about Tatooine too. Padme, I'm so sorry," said Anakin shaking his head, "I should have told you first, I should have—"

"Ani, stop," said Padme laughing. "That's wonderful news!"

"It is?" said Anakin, confused.

"Yes, it is. Honestly, I'm relieved that someone else knows, and I'm sure that if you told him it was with good reason. But how'd it get to that? You were so angry at him when you left."

"There really is a much longer version," laughed Anakin. "And I can explain it all better once I get back. But, well, during the fight with Maul, he said that he loved me. That he cared about me and that he would do whatever it took to get me home safe. And I don't know, something changed between us. We're closer than ever. Something- something else happened, but I don't know if Obi-Wan would be willing to share that yet."

"I told you he cared," said Padme grinning. "Another score for the wife."

"Yeah, yeah," said Anakin. "But I had to summon the guts to actually tell him so point to me too. But," pouted Anakin, "Now he's passing judgments on our relationship. He said you were the one with all the sense."

"He is a wise Jedi Master," smirked Padme. "Maybe you should listen to him."

"You two better not gang up on me when we get back," groaned Anakin.

"I wouldn't dream of such a thing," said Padme with a playful look in her eyes. "Are you going to tell Ahsoka too?"

"Should I? I hadn't thought about it," said Anakin biting his lip. "Attachment's forbidden. I don't want to, you know, corrupt her with my rule-breaking ways."

"I feel like you've already taught her quite a lot of rule-breaking."

"Are you calling me a bad role model?" said Anakin in mock offense.

"You said it, not me," smiled Padme. "I'm ok with it either way. Ahsoka's part of our family too, just like Obi-Wan."

"Yeah, she is," said Anakin thoughtfully. "Ok, I'll think about it."

"Good," said Padme. She paused for a moment, someone yelling something behind her. She nodded and turned back to Anakin. "Ani, I'm so sorry, but I think have an urgent call coming in. I have to go," she said regretfully.

"That's fine," said Anakin. "I'll try to call again soon."

"Please do," said Padme smiling at him. "I'm so happy you're safe. I love you so much, Ani."

"I love you too, Angel," said Anakin softly, watching sadly as his wife's image blipped out.

He sat there for a while, gazing into space as he tried to memorize Padme features. He had nearly succeeded in falling asleep when Obi-Wan entered the room, collapsing into the chair beside Anakin's bed again. He gestured to the comm.

"How'd the call go?"

Anakin grinned. "Great. She didn't chew me out for telling you about us. She's happy I'm alive."

"Did you discuss the illegality of her hacking into the classified database?"

Anakin rolled his eyes. "That's not romantic, Obi-Wan."

Obi-Wan shrugged. "Well I suppose I wouldn't know."

"Agreed," said Anakin looking at his master suspiciously. "So, what's up with you? You seemed a little sulky earlier."

"I am a Jedi Master, Anakin, I do not sulk."

"And yet, here you are," pointed out Anakin. He grinned. "What are you jealous of me and Padme talking when you haven't' seen your girlfriend?"

"Of course not," snapped Obi-Wan a little too quickly. Anakin raised his eyebrows.

"Oh man, you are!"

"No—I," said Obi-Wan pinching the bridge of his nose. "Fine, ok, yes, I may have run into Satine in the hallway today. We spoke. She inquired after your health and then took her leave, so I was free to resume my duties as your errand boy."

"Nope," said Anakin. "There's more to it than that. What else did you guys talk about?"

"Nothing!" said Obi-Wan exasperated. "She won't talk to me. She seemed happy to see me for one moment and then she became incredibly cold. I don't know what's wrong with her."

"Hm that is a little weird," said Anakin frowning. "I haven't seen Duchess Satine in a while. Since your funeral, actually." His eyes widened. "Obi-Wan! Your funeral!"

"What about it?" said Obi-Wan looking confused.

"Satine—she was there. She was crying, she was absolutely devastated. Did you talk to her? You know, after it all happened? Did you talk to her?"

"Well, no. My return was quite well publicized, I figured she'd know. I didn't even realize that she had been at the funeral," said Obi-Wan softly.

"You didn't send a note? A call? Anything?" said Anakin in disbelief.

"Anakin, the mission became so famous, she must've have known—"

"That's not the point!" exclaimed Anakin. "Look, why do you think I made such a big deal of calling Padme when I could've just waited for her to find out on the list?"

Obi-Wan frowned. "Because you're clingy?"

"No!" said Anakin swatting Obi-Wan with his good hand. "Because it shows that I was thinking about her. That I care. That I recognized that something I did, or something that happened to me might, hurt or worry someone I care about, even if I'm ok."

Obi-Wan looked up at the ceiling. "So, you think that's why? She's hurt I never talked to her about my death?"

"I think so, yeah," insisted Anakin. "Look, Obi-Wan. As a married man-"

"Oh Force," muttered Obi-Wan.

"—let me give you some advice. Apologize to Satine. Let her know that you didn't realize she was at the funeral, that you're sorry you didn't tell her. That you care. Just like you told me."

"Anakin it's not that simple," said Obi-Wan tiredly. "You and Padme are married. You have that commitment to each other. But Satine and I—We don't know what we are. We don't have that obligation to each other. We've both acknowledged that we have duties outside of whatever we may feel for each other, and we have closed that door. We know that care for each other. In another lifetime, we might have chosen each other over duty." He sighed. "But that was then. This is now."

Anakin looked at his master for a long moment, suddenly feeling very exhausted. "I know. I know it's different. But Obi-Wan," he said softly, "Maybe it's not too late to open that door just one more time. I know what the code says about attachment but look at us. Look at our bond. It hasn't destroyed us. It saved us back there. Maybe," he said feeling himself start to fall asleep again, "Maybe it's time to revisit the code."

Obi-Wan considered his friend, watching him drift away. He wondered. "Perhaps, it is," he whispered to himself.