Anakin sat next to Obi-Wan while Padmé perched on one of the arms of the settee, trying to give the impression that she was listening carefully. She couldn't believe that no one else in the room -- not even Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi -- could sense the barely contained need she had for her husband.

Unable to resist looking at him, she bent her head down and turned her eyes toward Anakin. Meeting his heated gaze, she had to turn away because the tension was too much. Instead, she tried to focus on Captain Typho.

"M'lady believes her assassin is linked to Count Dooku and the terrorist organization on Corellia."

Drawn into the conversation at just the right point, Padmé slid into her politician role and said, "Yes, the poison --"

"-- Poison? You were poisoned?" Anakin's voice was a little too frantic for someone who was just her Jedi protector. "Are you all right?"

"Yes." She glared at him, leaving no room for debate. In a harsh, no-nonsense tone, she continued, "I received the antidote and was better the next morning."

Understanding her message, Anakin averted his eyes and didn't say anything else.

Obi-Wan turned to Padmé and asked, "What do you know about the poison?"

Although she knew Anakin might explode, she answered, "It was food-borne, derived from a plant grown only on Corellia. The only time I ate anything that the rest of my staff didn't was when I had a cup of caf --"

"-- Caf? Don't you --"

She shot Anakin a look, silently telling him that he wasn't supposed to know that she didn't usually like caf. "-- But the night I got the caf was a full day before I started investigating Dooku or Corellia."

Anakin seethed in his seat, but made no further comment.

Obi-Wan just nodded and said, "Curious."

Typho grunted. "That's what we said."

Padmé continued, "Then just yesterday, the assassin --"

"-- Assassin?" Anakin snarled. She could see he was having trouble holding back his emotions. "What assassin?"

"The one who we killed yesterday afternoon." She shot him another look, telling him to settle down. "The interesting thing was that he yelled 'Vivomos Dooku' just before he died."

"Vivimos Dooku?" Anakin growled. He took a deep breath. "Only in death can they speak his name." He looked at Obi-Wan and said, "It's the same group."

"We just cannot understand why they've targeted me."

Anakin raised his hand. "They must have the wrong senator! You've done nothing but help ensure peace, stability, and unity in the Galaxy and throughout the entire Naboo system!" He caught himself and added, "Or so I've heard. I've always held you in high regard, Senator."

She let a smile spread across her face. "Why, thank you, Jedi Skywalker."

Obi-Wan glared at Anakin, who was, in turn, grinning at Padmé.

Typho cleared his throat. Ignoring the spectacle around him, he said, "My intelligence sources indicate that in the last several days, the terrorists have moved their base to one of the uninhabited moons of Corellia. Master Kenobi, do you agree?"

Obi-Wan nodded with his eyes closed and his hands pressed together. "Possibly. Anakin?"

Anakin closed his eyes for a moment and then nodded. "I agree, Master. They definitely abandoned that base on Corellia itself, but it doesn't feel like they've left the system."

Padmé had to hide a smile; she was impressed with his businesslike tone. He sounded like the brilliant tactician she knew him to be. But she was a bit envious at the way he could transform from lusty lover to Jedi at a moment's notice. She, on the other hand, was having trouble concentrating on anything other than the feelings he was arousing in her.

She was pulled out of her dreamlike thoughts by the Obi-Wan's voice. "Anakin?"

Padmé looked up at Anakin and saw that he was just as startled as she was by Obi-Wan's sharp tone. "Yes?" His voice held an innocence that Padmé knew was a complete lie.

"Are you listening to me?"

Anakin rolled his eyes. "Of course, Master. I've heard every word you've said."

Padmé bit her tongue. From the look on his face, Padmé knew Anakin had heard about as much of Obi-Wan's side of the conversation as she had.

"What did I say, young one?"

Anakin looked straight into Obi-Wan's eyes. "You were inquiring as to the feasibility of returning the fair senator to her home planet."

"Oh. Yes, right." Obi-Wan looked appropriately chided. "So, you do listen. Forgive me."

"Of course." Anakin's eyes danced and a vibrant smile spread across his face. "And I think we should ask the senator her opinion on this matter." He looked at her with a teasing glint in her eyes.

"Senator, what do you think?" Obi-Wan looked at her with raised eyebrows.

Almost immediately, she answered, "I will be safer there. I'm familiar with the terrain and I know many places where no one would look for me." She glared at Anakin with a 'take that' glint in her eyes. For good measure, she added, "And if Dormé and Cordé stay on Coruscant in my place, I might be able to make it to Naboo entirely unnoticed."

Typho nodded. "I agree with Senator Amidala. If I stay on Coruscant with her decoy, it will appear that she is still on planet."

"You're right, Captain. Anakin and I will take the senator back to Naboo and hide her there until this situation is resolved."

Anakin interjected, "In the essence of time, Master, I can take Senator Amidala home by myself. You can investigate the terrorist cell and Count Dooku on the Moons of Corellia."

Obi-Wan shook his head. "Not yet, Anakin. We need more information before we can assume this group is making the threat on her life. We will travel to Naboo with the senator and, once she is safe, we will further our inquiries."

The young lovers shared a quick look of distress, and Anakin was the first to recover. "Yes, Master. I agree. We will travel to Naboo tomorrow."

Obi-Wan nodded. "We will travel as refugees, and then we will learn the truth behind this plot on Senator Amidala's life."

"Thank you, Master Jedi. I am most appreciative." She sighed inwardly, but smiled at Obi-Wan.

They stood all stood, and Anakin slipped behind Padmé and whispered, "I have a bad feeling about this."

She sighed and breathed, "Me too."

BREAK

"If we are leaving tomorrow, I must start packing. And I need to get my affairs in order, update my handmaidens on upcoming votes in the senate, as well as important committee meetings . . . There is not enough time."

"Don't worry, Senator, we can talk as we pack," Dormé said.

Padmé looked at each of her handmaidens and nodded. Dormé and Cordé slipped out of the room to begin preparing for Padmé's trip.

Anakin stifled a laugh with a cough. "Don't pack too much, m'lady. Remember, we're traveling as refugees."

She scowled at him. "Yes, *Master Jedi,* I am well aware of that fact."

"I'm just saying I know how you --" Obi-Wan turned to look at him, but before he could say anything, Anakin continued, "-- women pack."

Padmé groaned. "Anakin, you really don't know anything about women at all." She added, for Obi-Wan's benefit, "And you certainly don't know me."

He rolled his eyes. "I will bet those handmaidens already have four travel cases filled with various dresses and matching shoes even as we speak."

"Oh, really? And how are you so sure?" She almost wanted him to admit exactly how he knew, even right in front of Obi-Wan Kenobi.

"I just . . . am. I can sense these things." He waved his hand dismissively, but the corners of his lips turned up into a slight smile.

She wanted nothing more than to kiss him and wipe that smile right off his face. Instead, she just shook her head and said, "Of course you can. I suppose I must retire to help Dormé and Cordé in their preparations."

"Remember, m'lady, no more than two bags." Anakin flashed a teasing grin.

"Two?" She let out a long-suffering groan. "Can't you and Master Kenobi share a bag?"

"You can have two if we share a bag." Anakin's eyes sparked with mirth. She knew he was trying hard not to laugh.

"Oh." She turned her head down, appearing dejected. "I hate traveling as a refuge."

Obi-Wan interjected, "We'll work hard to get to the bottom of this quickly, Senator.'

Padmé nodded. "I'm most grateful for your help, Master Jedi." She turned on her heel and started to walk towards her quarters. "Now I must retire and help Dormé and Cordé pack."

Anakin folded his arms across his chest. "Are you sure you don't need my help? I'd be happy to supervise."

She smiled at him and said, "All right. I'd appreciate the company. And you can make sure I do not exceed my appropriate bag limit."

"You can count on me." He took a few steps to follow her, but stopped when Obi-Wan cleared his throat.

"Padawan, we cannot bother with the frivolous. We must check the security system, report to the Council and --"

"-- All right, all right. I understand." He flashed her a pained look. "M'lady, I am quite sorry."

"It's all right, Anakin, I think we can handle packing ourselves." When Obi-Wan's back was turned, she gave Anakin a sympathetic look of longing.

His look of longing matched hers and then some. But then his expression changed to a teasing grin. "Remember --"

"-- Two bags, I know, I know." She shook her head and turned around toward her quarters. Before she walked out of the room, she said, "Thank you, Anakin, Obi-Wan, I am most grateful for your protection."

"Anytime, Padmé," Anakin said, his voice husky and low.

She felt the undertone of his words screaming, "I love you!" And she hoped he felt her longing, too.

BREAK

After Padmé left the room to pack, Obi-Wan spun toward Anakin with a sour expression on his face. "Be mindful of your thoughts, young one."

"What do you mean?" Anakin tried feigning innocence, but he had a distinct feeling Obi-Wan did not buy it.

"You know exactly what I mean." Obi-Wan ran a hand across his beard, as he glared at Anakin. "Your thoughts betray you. You have made a commitment to the Jedi Order, Anakin. A commitment that is not easily broken."

Anakin put his hands on his hips. "I know that, *Master.* Stop lecturing me. I am no longer your Padawan."

Obi-Wan's voice dropped. "You will always be my Padawan, Anakin."

"Fine," was all Anakin could bring himself to say. He didn't want to start a fight, nor did he want to press the issue further and reveal his true feelings. He spun away from Obi-Wan and strode toward the door. "I'm going to check the security systems."

But it seemed like Obi-Wan did want to press the issue. "Wait."

Anakin groaned. "What?"

After a long pause where Anakin felt like Obi-Wan was boring into his soul, Obi-Wan said, "Stay here. I'll speak to Captain Typho and make sure the security systems are enabled and in working order. You protect the senator."

Anakin gave a small smile. "Thank you, Master."

Obi-Wan gave a half nod. On his way out the door, he clapped Anakin on the shoulder. "Remember, Anakin, I am only looking out for what is best for you."

"I know you're just looking out for me." He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "For what you believe is best for me."

"While I am gone, why don't you talk to Senator Amidala and her staff to see if you can get the entire picture of everything that has happened to her over the last few weeks?" He narrowed his eyes and stared at Anakin. "I get a distinct feeling there is something she is not telling us."

Anakin nearly ran into Padmé's quarters, but he remembered his decorum at the last moment. "Yes, I *would* like to know what has happened to her," he almost growled.

"She will talk to you." Obi-Wan took a deep breath. "I know you and Padmé have some sort of attachment."

Feigning innocence, he said, "Attachment? I guess that depends on --"

"-- Stop it, Anakin." Sighing, he admitted, "I've known that you've had . . . feelings for her."

"Yes, Master, we are good friends. We have been for years."

"It's more than that, Anakin. Contrary to your belief, I am not blind or stupid."

"I never said you were."

Obi-Wan just stared at Anakin, unmoving, unemotional. "I saw the way you looked at her when we walked in, and the way she looked at you."

"She was surprised to see me."

"No, I sense it's more than that. Especially since I noticed how the two of you lagged behind us as we walked in." Without letting Anakin respond, he continued, "And I noticed the way you reacted about the attempts on her life."

"I wanted to see if she was all right. I was worried about her, as any good friend would be." He stuck his chin out with an air of defiance.

Obi-Wan took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "It is more than that." He paced to the other side of the settee, then spun around to look at Anakin. "I cannot do anything to stop it, but please remember the Code."

"I remember it, Master. Attachment is forbidden. Passion is forbidden. Everything fun is forbidden."

"Anakin!"

"I'm only joking." Anakin closed his eyes and recited, "There is no emotion; there is peace. There is no ignorance; there is knowledge. There is no passion; there is serenity. There is no death; there is the Force."

"So you did learn the Code," Obi-Wan said with a smirk.

"Yes, but I am not sure I agree with our interpretation of the words."

"I know you would love to have this debate, just as you would love to debate the meaning of attachment, but this is neither the time nor the place."

Anakin ran a nervous hand through his hair. "It's just . . . I mean, to me, it seems like it is only saying that a Jedi must defend the Republic as guardians of peace, without passion or prejudice. We must not feel aggression or hatred."

"Yes, Padawan, that is true." Obi-Wan cocked his head and narrowed his eyes.

Anakin knew he was heading down a dangerous path, but he couldn't stop himself. He looked into Obi-Wan's eyes and declared, "I don't see it saying anywhere that love is forbidden. I think compassion, unconditional love, is central to a Jedi's life." He raised his voice. "We should be encouraged to love."

Obi-Wan sighed. "I don't want to have this discussion now, Anakin. And I'm not sure you do either."

Anakin stood up straight and stared into Obi-Wan's eyes. "Because you don't know the answer. You know I'm right."

"Please, Anakin, I cannot listen to this right now."

"Why?"

"Don't ask that question. You might get an answer you do not want to hear." He and Anakin locked eyes, neither breaking their stare for several moments.

"I'm just saying, Master --"

"-- Do not say it, Anakin," Obi-Wan growled. "Please."

"Why?"

"Because I know what you're going to say. And as soon as you speak the words, they become real."

"How can you possibly know what I am going to say?"

Anakin took a step closer to Obi-Wan, but his expression did not waver. Obi-Wan was still the picture of Jedi calm.

His voice was laced with hurt and sadness as he said, "Your feelings for Senator Amidala are practically radiating through your Force signature. Any sensitive being within 50 kilometers would feel it." Obi-Wan whirled around and took a few steps toward the door.

Anakin came up behind him and put a hand on his shoulder. "Wait. Yes, like I told you, I have feelings for Padmé. Strong feelings. We have been friends for years. But how can you make that --"

"-- Stop it, Anakin. Just stop the lying," Obi-Wan whispered.

Anakin stood frozen in place, unable to respond, feeling Obi-Wan's sense of betrayal.

Obi-Wan whirled around and looked straight into Anakin's eyes. "I know she is pregnant."

Anakin stared at him for a few seconds until he could find his voice. "Wh-what did you say?"

"She's pregnant. Don't pretend you didn't know. Any Force sensitive being would sense that child's presence."

He stared at Obi-Wan with a dumbfounded expression on his face. "Pregnant?" He looked at the floor as he contemplated the meaning of Obi-Wan's words. "Child? Padmé is . . . pregnant?" His lips turned into a stupefied grin as the words really registered in his mind. "She's pregnant?"

"Don't play dumb. You had to have known." Obi-Wan's words were a disdainful growl.

Still in shock, he stumbled over his words. "Believe me. I . . . I didn't."

Obi-Wan put his hands on his hips and stared at Anakin like he had grown a second head. "You are certainly not Force-blind. Do not tell me you can't sense that child."

"I didn't." His voice was still clouded in shock and amazement.

He closed his eyes and tried to focus on Padmé's familiar presence in the Force. His grin grew wider when he said, "I feel it. It's immature, but strong." So strong, it took his breath away.

"Yes, the presence is very strong. Just like . . . someone else."

Ignoring Obi-Wan, he muttered, "I can't believe I missed this before. I wonder . . . maybe our baby is the reason we were able to communicate through the Force."

Obi-Wan folded his arms across his chest. "So you admit that it's your baby?" His words were an accusation.

He looked up and stared into Obi-Wan's eyes. "Yes," he whispered. His voice stronger, he continued, "This is my baby."

Obi-Wan was visibly shaken. He took a step back and said, "At least you were honest."

Anakin shrugged. "How can I deny it? I think its Force signature gives me away." He knew his voice was full of pride, but he didn't want to lie any more. After a moment, he added, "It is mine. I could never deny our baby."

Obi-Wan's voice dropped and his eyes took on a pensive expression. "I have long suspected . . . I think I have always known of your attachment."

"I am sick of all this deception. It killed me not being able to tell you the truth."

"Anakin . . . Did I fail you as a teacher? Did you not listen to a word I said?"

"No, of course not. You are a wonderful teacher." He looked up and smiled, but got no response from Obi-Wan. "But I love her; I've loved her for years. And she loves me."

"I could sense that, for a long time, but I didn't want to believe it."

Anakin's words strung together almost without pausing. "I love her, Master. She's my wife. We're married. And now she's having my baby"

"Married?" Obi-Wan sputtered.

"I'm not ashamed of any of this." He smiled, but then looked down. "Except maybe the deception."

Obi-Wan closed his eyes and took an audible deep breath. "I know."

"Believe me, I didn't mean to deceive you."

"Then why, Anakin? Why did you do it?"

Anakin took a deep breath and said, "Because I love her. Because she makes me feel the Force so much more clearly. Because without her, I would be out of control. She prevents me from becoming that terrifying Sith Lord version of myself --"

"-- Anakin --"

"-- It's true. Maybe it is because I didn't spend my childhood in the Temple. Maybe it is because I feel the Force differently. Maybe it is --"

"-- Maybe it is because I couldn't teach you."

"No, it wasn't that at all," Anakin declared. They stared at each other for several moments. Then, in a voice not more than a whisper, Anakin asked, "Are you . . . going to tell the Council?"

After a moment, Obi-Wan whispered, "No." He seemed almost shocked at his decision.

Anakin took a step back. "You're not?"

"Not until you're ready. We will tell them together. I . . . I believe you that she has a positive affect on your abilities, and I want to see it for myself."

"She does, Master. On Corellia, I was able to immerse myself in the Force, grab onto her support, and defeat the droids."

Obi-Wan's lips curled into a small smile. "I was wondering how you could have known so much about Corellia's sociopolitical structure."

"All Padmé," he said with a smile. "She makes me smarter, too."

"I should have known." After a short pause, he added, "Remember, Anakin, I'm on your side." As he brushed his hand across his brow, his stern expression turned into a fatherly smile. "And I am proud of you."

"You are?"

"Always." He smiled and added, "After all, you've saved my life, almost more times than I can count."

"Six."

Obi-Wan rolled his eyes. "Right. Six times."

"But it was all because of your training." Anakin took a step closer and reached out to hug the older man. "Thank you. For everything."

Obi-Wan hugged back. "What are you doing? We've never done this before."

"I thought we should start."

When the two Jedi broke apart, Obi-Wan said, "Just please be careful. This relationship could be dangerous for all of us."

"I know," Anakin said in a somber tone. "You know, I am stronger with her than without her. I feel the Force more clearly when I think about her. How do you think --"

"-- Let's not talk about this now. We have work to do, work that we have neglected for far too long." The corners of his lips turned up into a smile. "And the fair senator might think you have abandoned her. While I am checking the security, I suppose I will be gone for about --"

"-- Two hours?"

"An hour."

Anakin grunted, but he nodded his assent.

"And I don't want to . . . walk in on anything."

"Of course not, Master." Taking a chance, he shrugged and said, "You've never caught us before."

"Anakin . . . I don't even want to think about that."

"What?" His voice was the most innocent tone he could muster. "Where do you think the baby came from?"

"I'd rather believe it was conceived by the midichlorians," he muttered. "Just find out more about the assassination attempts, please."

"Yes, the poison." His face turned white. "The poison. Our baby."

"Relax. Everything appears to be fine with both Padmé and the baby. From what I understand, the poison does not seem to have had lingering affects on either of them."

Anakin's voice was a low growl and his cheeks turned red. "We are going to get Dooku. He can't do this to my family."

"Anakin, control yourself. As hard as it might be, you cannot take this personally. This is why attachment is forbidden."

Anakin closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "You're right. It's a path to the Dark Side."

"Relax. Use the Force."

Anakin fought the urge to roll his eyes. "Yes, *Master.*" Almost as an afterthought, he added, "Thank you."