Author's Note: Zigoola is a reference to a planet from Karen Miller's Star Wars novel "Wild Space." It's an epic novel about Obi-Wan and Bail Organa and the circumstances that brought them together as friends. I definitely recommend it to everyone who reads this! ;)

"If he doesn't want to talk about it, then fine. He still hasn't told me anything about what happened on Zigoola, so why should this be any different?"

Padmé looked just as pretty in hologram as she did in real life. The only difference was that Anakin couldn't hold her, couldn't wrap her tightly in his arms and feel her steady heartbeat against his chest.

"Ani," her voice was so calm, so grounding, "don't be so hard on him, he's your best friend. "Besides, have you ever told him anything about your life as a slave?"

Sometimes, he really… disliked it when she was right.

He could never hate anything about his precious wife.

"No," he responded rather grudgingly.

"Why not?" Anakin wasn't sure he was going to like where she was going with this.

"I feel like this is a rigged question, but… it's because I don't like to relive it." An involuntary shiver wracked his frame. "Talking about it means reliving it, and that hurts..."

Stang! Why is she so wise?

"Exactly." She smiled knowingly. "Anakin, there are certain parts of peoples' lives they don't particularly enjoy talking about because it hurts them. It probably hurts Obi-Wan to even think about his ordeal." Her gentle smile instantly soothed his aching spirit, as usual. "Give him time. He might share bits and pieces with you—he might never tell you, or anyone else for that matter—but that doesn't mean he wants to go through his recovery alone. No one, no matter how much they let on, wants to be alone."

"But how can I help him if he won't even talk to me? He came back from Zigoola a mess, and now he's come back from Jakku a mess. I didn't know how to help him then, so how can I help now?"

"By simply being there for him," came her simple reply. "When your mouth has no words, your presence can speak volumes."

Anakin heaved a sigh. "What did I ever do to deserve you?"

"Absolutely nothing," she said, her light laugh spreading warmth throughout the entire utility closet.

Why the heck did I choose a closet to make this call in again?

"Well, it must've been something, or else we wouldn't be here right now," he pressed, returning her laugh. "Listen, Padmé, I wish I didn't, but I have to go. I kind of left Ahsoka in the dust back there, and I don't know how much longer Rex can stand guard out there for me without attracting too much attention…"

"It's all right," she said, a hint of sadness clouding her previously smiling eyes. "It was a joy to see you."

On impulse, he reached out to her, feeling nothing but air, as he knew he would.

Still…

"I missed you, Padmé. It's… been a long journey."

"Then go and rest. You look dead on your feet. I'll still be here for you when you wake up."

"We're set to arrive on Coruscant in less than ten hours, now. After we get settled in at the temple, I'll see if I can sneak away for a night…" A sly grin spread across his face. "Or two."

Her own grin widened. "I'm looking forward to it."

Anakin had never been very good at goodbyes, but when it came to bidding the love of his life adieu… well, he simply couldn't.

So he left the bulk of the goodbyes to Padmé, allowing her to use her skills as a senator to end their holocall without leaving too much residual heartache in its wake.

Too late, Anakin thought as his wife's blue image flickered out. I already feel sad.

Sighing heavily, he stepped out of the closet, only to come face-to-face with an annoyed Rex.

"Next time, sir, could you not choose a random closet in the middle of such a long hall?" He pleaded. "I think I received more curious stares this time than all the other times I've played looked out for you combined."

"Sorry, Rex." Anakin clapped the captain on the shoulder. "I really appreciate it, though. I don't know where we'd be without you."

"In your own room with the door locked," Rex muttered, mostly to himself. "Not a kriffing utility closet."

"Well, look on the bright side, Rex," Anakin said as they made their way down the hall. "We're almost to Coruscant."

"I find it hard to see how that's related to what we were just talking about, sir."

Anakin grinned. "When we're on Coruscant, I won't need a lookout."

"No, just a chaperone."

With a quick glance around to make sure the coast was clear, Anakin continued, "Come on, Rex, since when did a husband need to be chaperoned around his own wife?"

"I don't know, sir." Then, a sly grin stretched across Rex's face. "It just seems to me like you might need a bit more watching than other men."

"Haha, you're hilarious. Hey, have you heard anything from Cody yet? He still won't talk to me."

"Have you actually tried contacting him, sir?"

"Well, no…"

"Then he's not avoiding you, he's busy fighting a battle. You told him we found General Kenobi, right?"

"I just told you, I haven't been in contact with him."

"Well, did someone contact him?"

"We all thought you did."

"And who's we?"

Anakin shrugged. "Ahsoka and I?"

Massaging the bridge of his nose, Rex stopped. "Excuse me then, general. I've got a call to make."

"Of course," Anakin replied with a nod, trying to suppress the rising guilt. "I should probably go check on Obi-Wan and Ahsoka."

And here's hoping my Padawan doesn't lecture me for being late. But we can't all just sit and wait around for him to wake up.

It was as he neared the medbay that Anakin realized he was avoiding a sleeping man, of all things.

Why? You're being ridiculous.

Because you know you were in the wrong.

Because you shouldn't have shouted at him like that.

Because…

Because I'm afraid he might not ever be the same again when he wakes up.