Obi-Wan spent the next day at his internship combing through the different cases for clues about anything that could help with the case. He came up with a few leads, finding a drug dealer by the name of Maul, a new case on his pile of work. He read through the file and decided that it could be interesting. Professor Windu only took on big criminals as clients, people with deep pockets. Yet, this man clearly wasn't a big deal... or was he? Maybe there was something special about him that Obi-Wan just hadn't figured out yet. He made a note to look into him later when he wasn't on company time. The rest of the names were from the various Hutt gangs, names he'd heard on the news multiple times before.
He finished up his stint at his internship before going to teach at the Temple, trying to keep up with his schedule, although he was worried that he might burn out if he wasn't careful. However, if Obi-Wan kept moving, he wouldn't dwell, and dwelling only reminded him of everything he'd lost last weekend. No, keeping busy meant keeping his mind off of unpleasant matters. It wasn't like he could do anything for closure right now anyway. Qui-Gon's body wouldn't be released until the investigation was over, and that could take months at this rate. No one else had gotten a great look at the hooded man with the exception of Qui-Gon and maybe Dex, who was nowhere to be found right now. Obi-Wan found himself drifting as he continued his work at the temple. Meditating only gave him more questions than answers. He was glad that tonight he was teaching a fighting class, and found himself pleasantly surprised to see a familiar face in the crowd.
"Padmé? What are you doing here?" he asked with a smile as he walked over to her, towel slung over his right shoulder.
"Well, I figured if you were worried about me helping you, then I'd learn how to defend myself and maybe that would help put your mind at ease," she smiled, playing with one of her braids.
"I would teach you for free," he murmured, leaning in so only she would hear.
"I know. But, this helps one of my favorite professors maintain his livelihood. I don't mind paying," she replied equally as soft.
He shook his head at her and took his place in front of the class. He took his shirt off, leaving himself in just his pants. Padmé blushed.
"Alright, tonight we'll be working on the fourth form," Obi-Wan instructed. He stood, facing away from them so he was looking at himself in the mirror. He moved swiftly, fluidly as he demonstrated the various poses. When he was done, he turned back to the class. "Now you do it."
"Don't you mean try it?" A teenaged boy asked.
"Do or do not, there is no try," Obi-Wan said with a cheeky smile.
Obi-Wan went around, adjusting people so that they did it correctly. "Feel the energy flow through you. If you've been keeping up with the meditation exercises, those come in handy here."
"How?" one of the students asked.
"The monks of old were firm believers in battle meditation. It helped them become more focused on the fight, blocking out anything but their opponent. By not losing focus, it helped them best anyone, regardless of any disparity in skill," Obi-Wan explained.
"Could you do a demonstration?" Padmé asked with a smirk.
"If you'd like," he replied, closing his eyes. "Quick, I want three of you to come at me at once."
His students moved to tackle as he exhaled. When his eyes opened, he had laser focus, dodging their attacks and dispatching them onto the mats on the floor.
"Woah," his youngest student said.
Obi-Wan chuckled and looked down at him. "Pretty cool, huh?"
Caleb nodded. "Very, Master Kenobi."
"Now, get back into position and go again. Once you master the form, we'll practice on each other using this and the previous forms you have learned," he instructed, watching them all get back to work. He crossed his arms and stared at the sight with a satisfied smirk.
When they'd spent another fifteen minutes working through the motions, he started to pair them all up, pairing himself with Padmé.
"Come at me," he told her.
Padmé smiled, shaking her head at him slightly. "I don't want to hurt you."
"You won't," he replied with a small smile.
Padmé rolled her eyes, but came at him, successfully knocking him to the ground, straddling his lap with her arm pressed into his neck. He let out a small grunt. The rest of the class stopped to watch the great Master get bested by the newcomer.
"Looks like you forgot to meditate," Caleb chuckled, causing the rest of the class to laugh. Obi-Wan was mortified.
"Oh? Did that hurt?" she teased.
"Darling, you're something else," he murmured softly as she let up on his air supply.
"I know," she winked, getting up and offering him her hand. He took it and let her pull him up, holding onto her hand and looking down at her for a moment too long. Her eyes flicked to the rest of the class and he remembered that they weren't alone. He dropped her hand and turned back to the group. Obi-Wan cleared his throat, a slight blush coloring his cheeks.
"Great job, everyone. Run it through another five times, switching off on attackers and then you all may go," he announced.
Padmé smirked and looked up at him, "You want me to kick your butt another five times to prove my point?"
"No, darling, I got the message the first time," he smiled, draping his arm around her waist as they watched the class work.
"So you'll stop worrying about me?" she asked, wrapping her arm around him and leaning her head against his side as she looked up at him.
"Never," he murmured, not even looking at her.
"But, I thought you said..."
He looked down at her. "When you truly care about someone, you'll always worry about them."
Padmé blushed under the heat of his gaze before turning away. "I suppose you're right."
"I know," he replied, echoing her words from earlier. His expression turned serious. "Have you heard from Anakin lately?"
"No, why?" she asked curiously.
"He hasn't been home for dinner, and he's always out late. Last night he came home at one in the morning. I'm worried about him. I'm worried he's shirking off his studies," Obi-Wan sighed, running his unoccupied hand through his hair.
"He's a teenager, Obi-Wan. He just lost his dad. He's probably just keeping busy to keep it together," she sighed.
"I just... I wish he would talk to me. If anyone else understands, it's me. I wish he'd let me be there for him," he murmured.
"Give him time," she said softly, looking up at him with a comforting smile. "He'll come around."
He used his grip to hug her into his side, resting his head against hers. "I hope you're right."
"I could talk to him if you want?" she asked.
"That might be a good idea," Obi-Wan sighed. "He may not be talking to me and telling me the truth, but perhaps he'll tell you."
Padmé nodded. "I'll get to the bottom of it."
"I don't doubt you will," he smiled.
The class finished up and he dismissed them, taking a drink from his water as Master Yoda made his way into the room.
"Went well, the class did?" Master Yoda said with a playful smirk as his eyes drifted between Obi-Wan and Padmé. "Miss Amidala, always good to see you, it is."
"You as well, Master Yoda," she smiled, untangling herself from Obi-Wan.
"Teach him a lesson, did you?" he chortled.
Padmé turned back to give Obi-Wan an appraising look before a smile settled on her face. "I don't know, did I teach you a lesson?"
"She got me good, Master," Obi-Wan laughed. "Well, that's my last class for the day. I'll see you tomorrow."
Master Yoda nodded. "Good night, Master Kenobi."
Obi-Wan blushed. It always felt weird to be called 'Master.' He never quite felt like he deserved the title. He picked up his things and went to walk out with Padmé.
"Need a ride?" he asked her.
"I'd love one," she smiled. "You know, I just came from this class and the teacher was a real torturer."
"Oh, however did you manage?" he smirked as he opened the car door for her to slide in.
He then went and slipped into the driver's seat.
"Did you learn anything at your internship?" she asked after a beat of silence.
"There's an interesting person. He's not our usual clientele. I don't know why they made an exception for him," Obi-Wan replied.
"Interesting. I'll look into the bills that Organa mentioned when I can tomorrow. Perhaps we'll find a connection there?"
"Perhaps," he said, thoughtfully stroking his beard as he started the car and drove them home.
He parked in his usual spot but hesitated on getting out.
"What is it?" Padmé asked.
"His motorcycle is still gone," he said hollowly.
Padmé reached over and squeezed his thigh. "I'll talk to him. In the mean time... we could have dinner together?"
Obi-Wan looked over to see her looking at him with hope in her eyes. How could he say no to that? "Alright. But, I'm cooking tonight. You cooked last time."
She chuckled as she got out. "Works for me."
The two of them made their way upstairs.
"I'm just going to take a quick shower, but I'll leave the door unlocked for you," Obi-Wan replied. "Just come in when you're ready."
Padmé smiled. "Alright. See you soon."
Obi-Wan slipped into his apartment. He quickly set up some chicken and popped it in the oven. He checked to see if Anakin had left him a note, but he hadn't. He sighed and went to his room. He left the door to his room and his bathroom open, wanting to avoid steaming up the mirror. He crawled in, turning on his music. It had been a while since he'd showered with no one else home to judge his singing. Letting the steam settle around him as he stepped into the stream of water, he started to sing along with the song.
"My gift is my song... and this one's for you," he sang. The sound of the water and his own voice covered up the sound of curious footsteps coming towards his bathroom.
He continued to sing along, finishing up in the shower as the song ended. He turned the water off, neglecting the last words, but he heard a voice outside sing them.
"I hope you don't mind, I hope you don't mind that I put down in words... how wonderful life is now you're in the world," Padmé finished.
He smiled softly at his side of the shower curtains. "You sound wonderful, darling."
"You're one to talk, Christian," Padmé teased, looking the other way as she passed his towel to him. "Dinner smells amazing. Do you need any help with anything?"
Obi-Wan wrapped the towel around his waist before opening the curtains and stepping out. "If you want to drop some vegetables from the freezer into the microwave? I'll make the rice when I finish getting dressed."
Padmé nodded before heading out to his kitchen, closing the door to his room behind her.
Obi-Wan blushed, feeling his heart skip a beat as he watched her. He knew she'd just been singing along, but somehow, hearing her say those words made him wonder if there were a shred of truth to them. After all, his life was better with Padmé around. Perhaps, maybe... just maybe, she felt the same.