Chapter 21

Obi-wan stayed sitting next to her on the bed. He smiled at her and she returned it. That look in her eyes was worth it all.

She couldn't speak; the large lump in her throat had made it impossible. She just grabbed his hand with her own and rest them on her stomach.

The moment was perfect; well that was until the door slide open and in walked Bail Organa.

Padme had expected Obi-wan to quickly vacate his spot on her bed. But he hadn't, he continued to sit where he was.

"Padme, are you alright?" He walked to her right and looked down at her. He then noticed who it was sitting with her. Also that their hands were intertwined and where they lay.

Bail raised an eyebrow and looked at Obi-wan, "Master Kenobi, I do not believe…"

Obi-wan cut him off. "That title no longer belongs to me, Senator." Obi-wan glanced back down at Padme and simply smiled. "I am simply Kenobi."

Bail was confused, what is going on?

Padme used one hand to pat Bail's. "You've been gone. We have a lot to talk about."

"I think I shall let you two talk. I have a few things needing to be taken care of." He reluctantly pulled his hand from her hand.

"I'll come back so I can take you home. I'll bring Kayden when I do." He left her with her old friend.

Obi-wan set out on what he viewed as the hardest part, telling Anakin.

"There you are, Master." Anakin said as Obi-wan walked in. "Kayden's been waiting for you."

"We need to talk first."

Anakin knew something had happened at the meeting and it had to do with that feeling he had earlier. He followed Obi-wan into the common area. "Is everything okay?"

"I want to give you something." In Anakin's hand he placed a crystal.

"What's this for?"

"You're almost finished with your new lightsaber."

"But I thought you would come with me to get one. That's how the other Masters do it."

"Anakin, I won't be going with you. But this crystal is very special."

"What do you mean you won't be coming with me? Why not?"

Obi-wan calmed himself and prepared himself for the worst. "Anakin, I am no longer your Master."

"Why? It's a little late to be switching Masters isn't it? I want you to finish my training!"

"Anakin, I am no longer a Knight. I removed the crystal from my saber this morning." Obi-wan held up the empty hilt of his saber.

Anakin felt as if he was in a nightmare. Surely he was joking. But the sad look on his face showed that he wasn't.

He looked at the crystal in his hand. "But why?"

Obi-wan's tone was soft. "We both know about the suspicions that were going around. It would've been found out eventually. It had to be done."

Obi-wan watched as different emotions play across Anakin's face. They were both silent for some time.

"You leave today?"

"I'm going to drop Kayden off with Padme and then purchase some civilian tunics. And then…"

"Turn in your robes." Anakin finished for him.

Obi-wan shook his head.

"Mind if I come with you?"

"I would like that." Obi-wan had expected anger from Anakin but instead he received understanding. Maybe he is ready.

Obi-wan had spent much of the afternoon walking around the Temple. For old time's sake. He had gone to the different rooms where he had attended many classes as a Padawan. He had gone to the hangar and looked at his former Jedi Star fighter. He went to the Room of a Thousand Fountains, where he could always find his center.

He had already turned in his robes and said a sad goodbye to his brother. He had even gone and said goodbye to Master Yoda. He wondered what Qui-gon would've said about all this. Obi-wan chuckled at the thought. He'd probably be completely stunned.

Obi-wan made his way back to where Padme was. He passed many Knights on his way there. He had received many different looks, but he knew that what he was doing was right and that was all that mattered.

He walked in to see Padme standing and trying to pull a jacket on. Obi-wan hurried to her side to help her. "I think you should see if you can stay another day."

Padme grimaced, "I don't want to stay here, Obi-wan. I just want to go home." She was very confident in her decision.

"I want to go home too!" Kayden said as he sat cross legged on the bed.

"But don't you want Mommy to get better?" Obi-wan tried.

"She said she can better at home just like she can here."

He glanced at Padme. "Your Mommy is a very stubborn woman."

"I know, Uncle Bail said that too."

Padme turned to look at Obi-wan, "Please, I just want to go home and sleep in our own bed."

Obi-wan kind of hoped Kayden hadn't heard the 'our bed' part but he hadn't said anything. He could see her pleading with her eyes. "Are you sure you're alright?"

"Yes." She had her politician face on. He knew there was something, but obviously she didn't want to talk about so he would not push her.

"Okay." He grabbed Kayden's bag as well as his own small one and threw it over his left shoulder. He picked Kayden up in his right arm and the three walked outside toward the waiting speeder.

Obi-wan had gone a less used hallway but it didn't stop the stares and the whispers. He could tell they were bothering Padme a bit. But it surprised them both when Anakin and Master Yoda were waiting for them at the exit.

Obi-wan stopped to smile at them both. They were his old family, but his new one stood with him.

"It won't be the same with out you, Mas… I mean Obi-wan." Anakin stuck his hand out.

"Even though the Council has forbid it I do hope our paths cross again one day Anakin. I know you will make me proud."

"I will try."

Obi-wan looked to Master Yoda and bowed his head. "Do that you no longer have to."

"I know." He smiled. "I shall miss you both."

"Congratulate you I would if circumstance different they were. Spoke of changes to the code Knight Ginn did often. Wish I do, in this matter, the Council listened they had."

Padme saw this as their approval of Obi-wan's decision. And Obi-wan knew this was as close to approval as he would be able to get. He smiled at them. "We must be going."

Anakin and Yoda moved to allow the new family to leave. As Obi-wan walked out he turned back to address the two.

"May the Force be with you, always."