Obi-Wan awoke the next morning feeling guiltily happy. As he looked down at the woman in his arms, he couldn't help but smile. Last night was something he didn't think he'd ever find the words to describe, and she always left him dumbfounded to begin with. Gently, he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as he reminded himself that it had only been for the night. He had belonged to her and she had belonged to him only for a few hours. He knew deep down that he wanted more, but then he thought about Anakin. Anakin. His best friend and brother... who was also hopelessly in love with the woman in his arms the last time he had checked. Anakin who was out there somewhere doing stars knows what, and here he was basking in the morning afterglow with the woman that they had both loved. For the briefest of moments, Obi-Wan almost wished that Padmé had returned Anakin's feelings, because at least then he'd be around better influences. He looked down at Padmé and shook his head, he could never watch her with someone else and not have it sting, though. She was warm and comforting against his chest, but he knew he had to slip out of this bed and return to his own apartment and get ready for the day. If he was still here when she woke up, he didn't think he'd have the strength to deny her. Softly, he returned her to the mattress and placed a chaste kiss to her forehead as he pulled the covers up over her. Then, he retrieved his scattered clothes, dressing at least the bottom half of him before making his way across the hall. His apartment seemed cold and empty in comparison. Part of him wanted to just forget about it all and go back to lose himself in her warmth and arms, but he knew better. He had things to accomplish, and he had to sort through so much of himself right now that he didn't want to be a burden on her. Yet, he knew deep down that she was already as entangled in all this as he was.

He went through his quiet apartment and got ready for the day. He fed Anakin's pets and texted Ahsoka to ask her to take them for walks, saying that he'd pay her for it. Then, he left.

His class was easy that day and he quickly found himself at his internship. Professor Windu was meeting with his clients today before their arraignment hearings the following week. The office was a revolving door of people, and it was all hands on deck to make sure that all the clients were satisfied if they were waiting. Obi-Wan was exhausted, but kept up with the foot traffic. Then, a man who was less put together than the rest of the clients walked in. Obi-Wan wasn't quite sure that the man had the right place.

"May I help you?" he asked, coming over to him.

"Yes, I'm here to see Mace. I've got a hearing next week," the man replied. There was something familiar about him.

Obi-Wan went to go to the files on the receptionist's desk. "Your name, Sir?"

"Maul," he replied.

Obi-Wan did his best not to visibly react. "Yes, of course. Mr. Windu is currently with another client. Is there anything I could get you while you wait? Coffee or tea, perhaps?"

"Oh, I think tea will do," he purred.

The way he said those words... Obi-Wan froze slightly, back to him. His mind raced. Flashes came. A man in a hood. A gun. His father, down on the floor and bleeding. It couldn't be, could it?

"I'll get that right away," Obi-Wan said, trying to keep his voice steady. He made his way back to the kitchen and tried to stay calm. That man. Maul. He had murdered his father. He knew it. He'd never forget that voice. His hand was shaking as he tried to pour the water into the cup. It was as if the air had been sucked from the room and he was left trying to breathe in what little was left. His lungs burned as he saw that night play over and over in his mind. Keep it together, Kenobi, he told himself. Obi-Wan took a deep, steadying breath. He straightened his spine, and then he went to give the tea to the client. While Maul was in with Windu, he looked back over the files, trying to find something, anything that could connect him to Dex's Diner and the murder of his father. A common thread, or a signature, but he found nothing. All he had to go on was his voice.

He told the receptionist that he wasn't feeling well and that he was going home since most of his work for the day was done. Then, he got into his car and drove over to the 501st precinct.

"Obi-Wan, what are you doing here?" Rex asked as he saw him from across the bullpen.

"I was hoping to talk to you about something important," he replied. "About that night."

Rex's face darkened, "Alright. Come with me."

Rex led Obi-Wan into one of the side interrogation rooms and handed him a cup of water. "You look as if you've seen a ghost."

"I feel like I have," Obi-Wan said despondently as he took the cup.

"What happened?" Rex asked, sitting in the chair across the table.

"I know who killed my father," Obi-Wan murmured, looking Rex in the eyes.

"Who?"

"Maul. Small time criminal," he informed him. "Professor Windu is representing him for some hearing next week."

"How do you know it was him?" Rex asked.

"I'd never forget a voice like his," he said pointedly.

Rex sighed. "Look, I don't doubt you, and I would like nothing more than to throw the wretch in jail after what he did to your dad, but that type of evidence is circumstantial at best. Especially when we've got nothing else to connect him to the scene. A vocal identification isn't enough to get a warrant for anything, either."

Obi-Wan frowned. "So there's nothing you can do then? My father's killer walks free?"

Rex leaned across the table and placed his hand on Obi-Wan's arm. "Listen, I'll keep my eyes open now that I know who I'm looking for. If he slips up? I'll take him down on whatever charge I can so that I can search his place and maybe find the gun or something that will link him back to the diner. But, until then, my hands are tied."

"Thank you, Rex. I know you have to work within the confines of the law," he replied. It was frustrating, and it kept justice from being served, but he understood. After all, that was his chosen field as well, although these days he was wondering if he really wanted to follow that path. He wanted to help people, but these days he found himself defending the worst of the worst and he was helping them with their constitutional rights, but screwing over the victims of their crimes. Obi-Wan got up from the chair and went out. It was close to the time for the meeting in Mas Amedda's calendar. Padmé had texted him the address and he said he'd meet her there.

The drive across town was fast, considering that it was the middle of the work day. He spotted Padmé seated at a table on an outdoor patio. She waved him over, a faint blush on her face.

"Has anyone shown up yet?" he asked as he settled into the chair across from him.

"No. Mas still hadn't left the office when I went out," she answered. "I wanted to make it seem like a coincidence and not like I was following. I figured if I got here first, it would be less suspicious than if I arrived after."

"Smart thinking," Obi-Wan replied, but his mind was elsewhere and that was not lost on Padmé.

"What happened?"

"Hmmm?" he asked, pulled from his reverie.

"You're frowning. What happened?"

"I know who killed my father, but Rex can't do anything about it without any real evidence. So, now I have to live with helping my father's killer escape jail for another charge," he replied bitterly.

"Who?" Padmé gasped.

"Maul," he replied. "I heard him speak today, and I swear his voice is the same as the shooter's. I'd never forget that voice."

Padmé frowned. "Well, if you know who it is, then we'll just have to find evidence that links him somehow."

"I guess," he sighed. "I'm just frustrated."

"By this current situation or something else entirely?" she asked.

"Both the situation and just the process. I went into law because I wanted to help people, to get justice for the victims. Now, I find myself in a position where I'm not getting justice for anyone, including the man that raised me. It's... disheartening."

"You just have to trust in the process. If someone did something wrong, then the people on the jury will see that," she replied.

"Not if the case never makes it to trial," he sighed.

She reached across the table to squeeze his hand, giving him half of a smile. He returned it, and then squinted at something over her shoulder.

"What is it?" she asked. "Has Mas Amedda shown up?"

"No, darling, but Mayor Palpatine and Count Dooku have."

"That's strange. The meeting was on the calendar in Amedda's office and it said Tyranus. It was definitely for here and now," she replied, pulling up the image on her phone to double-check.

"Maybe the calendar wasn't for Amedda's meetings," Obi-Wan murmured. "Maybe it was for the Mayor's?"

"But then, why would he show up to meet with Dooku if the name listed was Tyranus?"

"What if they are one and the same?" Obi-Wan asked with a raised brow.

"Why use a code, then?"

"Why, indeed," Obi-Wan said thoughtfully.

Padmé checked the time and sighed. "I should head back. My break is almost over."

"I'll drive you," he told her, getting up to walk her back to his car.

The car ride back to the mayor's election office was quiet as they both tried to piece together the puzzle that was unfolding before them. He walked her up to the door when they got there. When they reached the destination, they paused and looked at each other.

"Well, I'll see you later," Padmé finally said before heading inside.

Obi-Wan turned to leave, heading back to his car when it happened.

He felt the heat on his back and was knocked off his feet to the ground a few yards ahead of where he previously was. His ears were ringing from a loud noise that felt like it had popped his ear drums. He felt like his heart was pounding in his chest as he tried to push himself off the ground. The only thing he managed to do was roll over. What he saw wasn't a pleasant sight. Glass from shattered windows littered the sidewalk. He could see flames through the gaping, jagged holes where the glass had once been. His mind scrambled to parse what had happened together, realizing it must have been an explosion. His body screamed at him to stay put as he pushed up to his legs. He didn't care about the pain. Padmé was in there. He had to get to Padmé before it was too late.

A/N: Thank you to the reviewer that reminded me to change the fic rating. I have this listed as M on Ao3 and thought I'd clicked that here, but I guess I hadn't. I appreciate you looking out for me 3