A few weeks later

Anakin woke up earlier than usual. The luminescent chrono-display at his bedside table told him today was his 13th birthday. Probably Anakin was the only Padawan in the whole galaxy who did not look forward to it. Normally, at his 13th birthday, a Padawan got a very precious or a very special birthday present from his Master. Anakin knew he should not expect anything like that. After all, he was not really Obi-Wan's Padawan and Obi-Wan was not really his Master. They only were officially. Anakin did not need a present; it would be enough to him if Obi-Wan just congratulated him. Because Obi-Wan had completely ignored his 12th birthday. Or he had forgotten. Anakin did not know what would be worse.

He remembered his birthdays on Tatooine. His mother used to save food for that day. She had woken him with a birthday song and a big kiss. After his work, his friends had come and brought him little presents like a snail-shell, which they had found in the sand, a hand-carved Japor snippet or some junk which some rich trader from another world had left on the streets because he had no use for it anymore, but which Anakin loved to tinker with. Then they had sung the birthday songs together and had played ball till late in the evening. And then, when his friends had gone, his mother would wrap him inside a warm blanket and they would sit outside and look at the stars above and Anakin would ask her to tell him the name of that star and that star over there…

The memories hurt so much and Anakin pulled his blanket over his head. He should have celebrated this day with Qui-Gon. Qui-Gon would come into his room right now, pull him out of his blankets and lift him up, laughing. He would say "Happy birthday, Ani!" and give him a wonderful present.

Being alone was bad but worst of all was being alone on one's birthday.

Finally, Anakin resolved to get up because else he would start crying right now and he definitely was not to cry on his birthday.

When he turned on the lights in his room, his mouth fell open. A sparkling T-Wing model was set on his table. Anakin jumped out of his bed and examined it more closely, and right: It was not just any T-Wing, it was a T-Wing 707. He could not believe it. This was the best spaceship model he had ever seen. It was perfect. He did not even dare to touch it but he just walked around it, marvelling at the sight, and examining every little detail from every angle. Then he noticed the little piece of paper, which lay next to the starfighter on the table.

Happy Birthday, Anakin. I hope you like your present and I really hope it is not already outdated and too lame. Obi-Wan.

Tears welled up in Anakin's eyes while he was reading this short message and it wonderfully warmed his heart. Of course he had decided not to cry on his birthday but now this was a totally different matter. Because Obi-Wan had remembered today was his birthday. And he had given Anakin a present. Not just any present. He had wanted to give something great to Anakin, something of which he knew Anakin was going to like it. Anakin could hardly believe Obi-Wan remembered those stupid things Anakin had told him when he had been a…well, stupid kid, more than three years ago. Overwhelmed with feelings of happiness, Anakin folded the little piece of paper neatly and put it into a pocket of his tunic.

Then he went out of his room and into the living room, where Obi-Wan was already meditating. Anakin would have liked to fling his arms around Obi-Wan's neck right now but he knew Obi-Wan did not like to be disturbed during his morning meditation, so he better refrained from doing so. Nervously, Anakin sat down in a chair and waited impatiently until Obi-Wan would have finished his meditation. Finally, Obi-Wan turned around to face Anakin.

Anakin took a deep breath. "Thank you", and at last he was able to bring himself to say the word which he had denied Obi-Wan – and himself – for so long. "Thank you, Master. The starfighter is…is… wizard-great. Thank you very much."

Obi-Wan smiled. "I'm glad you like your present."

"It's the best present I've ever got", Anakin said beaming.

Obi-Wan's smile became broader. "Have you already hung it up?"

"Oh, um, no. I'm still too small. Could you help me?"

"Sure." Obi-Wan followed Anakin into his room. Anakin could hardly endure to watch Obi-Wan hold up the model. He was terribly afraid it could fall down and break. At long last the T-Wing 707 hung securely over Anakin's bed. It looked absolutely amazing. Anakin was not able to take his eyes off it.

"You like it there?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Yeah…" Anakin nodded eagerly. Obi-Wan turned to leave. "Wait!" Anakin shouted and grabbed Obi-Wan's hand. "Obi-Wan… Master, I…" There were so many things he wanted to say, things he had to apologize for, things he had to thank for. He did not know where to start. Embarrassed, his gaze rested on Obi-Wan's hand, which he still held on to. Obi-Wan did not clutch Anakin's hand but he did not shove it aside either. Suddenly an idea occurred to Anakin. It was rather a feeling and he acted on intuition when he seized Obi-Wan's hand and placed it on top of his own. He knew he had to do this. Because this was important. Because it meant so much to Obi-Wan.

"I, Anakin Skywalker, take you, Obi-Wan Kenobi, to be my Master." He locked eyes with Obi-Wan and saw faint surprise there. This time it's not empty words, Master. "I commit myself to support you and follow your instructions in the best of my knowledge and belief. I promise…I promise…um…" Anakin flushed madly. It just could not be true! Now he had really messed everything up by forgetting the words. Apologetically he looked at Obi-Wan but Obi-Wan did not seem to be mad at all, quite the contrary, he was grinning slightly.

"I promise to honour and respect…", he helped him on.

"Ah yes." Anakin cleared his throat. "I promise to honour and respect you and the Jedi-Order in all my actions and my thoughts. I pledge my loyalty to you from this day forward until the day of my Knighting."

Obi-Wan blinked. He still seemed to be between shock, surprise and joy but when he spoke the words, his voice was perfectly calm. "I, Obi-Wan Kenobi, take you, Anakin Skywalker, to be my Padawan. I commit myself to instruct you in the ways of the Force and to familiarize you with the Jedi-Code in the best of my knowledge and belief. I promise…" Obi-Wan hesitated briefly as though he expected Anakin to protest. "…to protect you with my life and to guide your life in the Force. I pledge my loyalty to you from this day forward until the day of your Knighting." Obi-Wan swallowed and squeezed Anakin's hand tightly.

There were still so many things standing between them, so many things they wanted to say (if they had been able to put it into words) but reciting those old vows was easier. Because once they would start apologizing, they might hurt each other again or they might misunderstand each other. And it was very well possible they would yell at each other again. Anakin knew Obi-Wan understood what Anakin wanted to tell him anyway. Just as Anakin understood Obi-Wan's message. It was quite simple, actually: I'm sorry. I like you very much. I want you to become my Padawan.

No more updates for the next two weeks because I'm going home for the Christmas holiday, and Christmas is family-time and not computer-time ;-) But I guess this is a nice chapter's end to stop before Christmas. Ok, I wish you all a MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR AND MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU. ALWAYS… I hope to hear from you again in 2007 – you're wonderful readers/reviewers and I really enjoy writing this – thanks! Oh, I just realize they probably don't use paper in a galaxy far, far away...hmm, ok, let's say the Jedi-Order and especially Obi-Wan are very traditional ;-)