A/N: Thank you for the wonderful reviews! I love hearing what you think and like about the story and it makes me happy to know that certain things are coming across as planned. I spent a fair amount of time editing it to get that final product.
I also have a special surprise for you guys! (If you don't follow my other story) I've completely updated Chapter 3: Darth Vader. It's a critical chapter to the overall story and I think I did it better justice this time. It's also 3x longer! So go check that out! Let me know what you think of the revamped chapter.
This is now the longest chapter I've written to date. How will the Skywalker family handle the uninvited guest? Please enjoy!
"Love covers a multitude of sins."
Chapter 12
Nevah, Unknown region
Skywalker farm
Loud.
That was the first thought that came to Obi Wan's mind as he surveyed a bright, flashy, and vibrantly painted red protocol droid carrying a tray with a steaming hot container of tea and several cups as he scuttled across the living room.
Querying a discerning eye, Obi Wan couldn't help but notice the droid's paint job and he found himself just staring at it while the protocol droid ignored his glances. After several long minutes, he concluded that he did know this droid and the purple astromech who followed closely behind him. To the droid's credit, it was much harder to recognize the spunky astromech with a new paint job as well as being outfitted with several different attachments.
That red called out to him, though.
Thinking pensively, Obi Wan had no doubt that Anakin had decided on the color. The gold paint from before was flashy enough, but this startling, shiny red was, even more, a reflection of it's current owner. Loud, passionate, emotional, and all consuming. Yes, that's the Anakin he knew and recognized. What was unfamiliar was the added titles of husband and family man.
C-3PO set the tray down on the wooden oval table in the middle of the living room. To his right sat the aging Jedi in a worn and weathered wooden chair, leaned back with his hands in his lap twisted together, not sure what to do with them. On his left, sprawled a long couch with worn edges and erratically spotted with brightly colored paint stains and other unknown substances that had set over time artfully yet unintentional crafted, most likely, by one or both twin children in front of him.
Speaking of which, the said children sat stiffly with their five year old faces contorted into an almost comical expression. The little boy with sun streaked blonde hair squatted woefully with his head slung forward, staring intensely at his clasped hands, twirling his thumbs rapidly. A spunky little girl sat next to him, her beautiful, soft curly flowing gingerly around her face in a messy tousle, no doubt from being woken up abruptly as she peppered Obi Wan with an openly disgusted look. Flanked on each side of the children were their parents whom expressions were much more guarded than the children.
The whirling of the droids mechanical parts echoed loudly in the suffocatingly silent room. Even the astromech, as Obi Wan remembered, was usually very vocal just spun his head unit around as if he was there to record and just bear witness to the event. The two of them slowly scooted out the room without a noise as the tea laid before the humans untouched and barely noticed.
Luke's mother, with her arms crossed in front of her, a subdued unnerving frown etched deep in her ordinarily calm face, sat next to the downtrodden Luke. The little boy could feel his mother's eyes on him as he hung his head low with his shoulders slumped over. In the growing uneasiness, he decided to pick at the crease on his pants, feeling his mother's eyes burning into him. His father returned from the fields with Luke in tow as Padmé emerged from the emergency bunker, her concerned eyes quickly turned from worried panic into a fit of deep anger with the little boy that he had never seen before. Painfully, her words were cutting and he regretted worrying his mother so profoundly but he also didn't regret running after his father at the urging of something deep inside him that spoke as loudly as his sister sometimes did in his mind.
It was an odd thing for him to experience and felt so profound to be moved by something invisible and untouchable. One time, Luke asked his twin sister about the strange sensation and was pleasantly surprised to confirm that she had experienced the same thing. Curiously, they brought it up once with their parents. Their mother diverted the question to their father, who promptly and, to the twin's confusion, furiously brushed it off. In frustration and disappointment, the twins decided not to bring it up again and kept this little secret to themselves.
Luke peek over at his other half, tightly wedged against the side of their father, his arm slung around her protectively, as she shot her brother a piercing gaze. The expression was nothing compared to the cross, fiery, and jumbled words coming through his mind and the hotly condemning emotions that traveled through their bond letting him know just how she felt with how he worried their mother. Luke pulled on the thread on his pants roughly, it was almost more painful than his own mother's remarks and grievances. Sometimes he wished he could shut off the link that was so overwhelming at times.
He was actually relieved when he felt his mother's mood shifted again as it gave him something else to pay attention to. His innocent eyes flickering up to her face.
Padmé was calm.
As she sat on the couch contemplating the man across from her, the once best friend and brother to her husband, who also relentlessly hunted Anakin down until he finally found him, she found herself poised and collected, save the restrained anger she still harbored for her son's escapade. She was surprised and a little relieved by herself, despite the many years, her habits from her Senator days seemed to kick in automatically. Looking over, she stole a glance of her husband, his eyes seemed to dance and flint at everything except into the eyes of his former Master. Her concern causing her to take a closer look as she noticed the vein on his temple pulsating intensely, a tale tell sign he was nursing a headache. After he had returned to retrieve them from the bunker, she noticed how he walked stiffly and gingerly, to her dismay, as he brushed off the extent of his injuries. But he couldn't hide it from her. She had very little doubt what transpired between the two.
A whole lifetime before of discussions and deliberations as a Senator, she was more than agreeable to sitting down and discussing Obi Wan's presence, much to Anakin's surprise and maybe even a little disappointment, as she found herself comforting him with the prospects of what would be revealed. So she sat here numbed to any fears or worries that could be plaguing her mind at the moment and kept an open mind as she watched the tired looking and shaggy appearing Jedi shift uncomfortably in his chair. In a surprising show of strength, she was ready to handle whatever future had now laid itself before them. Whatever Obi Wan wanted from her beloved husband.
Anakin's head was pounding.
Perhaps it was a good thing. It distracted him from all the thoughts whirling in his head. A combination of the pain with a reluctance to be there lead him to take stock of everything he could see in the living room and his mind quickly shifted through all the little projects he needed to take care of: the lamp in the corner that flicked whenever someone walked by it a certain way, the side table Leia ran into, broke, and was temporarily patched together with tape that needed a more permanent fix, and even the wobbly leg on the chair that Obi Wan sat on.
On second thought. Maybe he won't fix the chair.
Anakin muscles twitched, his eyes flickered down next to him when he felt a petite hand tug on his elbow. He was greeted with Leia's tiny eyebrows bent in concern with her father's pain and distress as she reached out to him. With a small, endearing smile, the headache seemingly less painful by just looking at her, he carefully took her petite hands and was surprised with her strength as she returned the hold tightly. His focus shifted again when he heard the voice across from his clear his throat.
"Um…" Obi Wan quietly uttered in his throat. Grateful after Anakin finally made eye contact with him. He softly stated, "You…grew out a beard."
"What?" Anakin asked, genuinely confused while he processed the old man's words.
Obi Wan moved stiffly and unnaturally in his chair then looked away hesitantly before gesturing to his own face. "A beard."
Anakin's eye widened in recognition. He had momentarily forgotten he also sported a beard just like the man in front of him. "Oh yeah." He replied as he scratched it, feeling the rough texture against his fingers, then shrugged as he answered, "it's a thing now." As if that explained everything.
"Oh," Obi Wan stated rigidly as they both abruptly and simultaneously looked away. The old man let out a hefty, strained sigh and realized that Anakin had done the same thing. A motion that he found comforting for some reason. This led him to push past his debilitating discomfort, gaping his mouth a couple times before the words actually came out. "Well, it suits you." He offered a weak smile at the attempted compliment.
With the same level of discomfort, Anakin returned the polite smile and kindly replied to the peace offering. "Thanks."
The room fell silent again.
"We were good before you came." Leia bluntly stated with an unsympathetic face breaking the silence, while her hand still tightly gripped on to her father's. She could feel how upset her family felt with the man's presence and reasoned that they would be happier if he wasn't here.
Blinking caught off guard, Obi Wan studied the little girl in front of him. Her beautiful curly, brown hair framing her small and delicate face with that recognizable sharp nose. She was the spitting image of her mother but definitely lacked her tactfulness. The blunt words were more akin to something her father would say. With an amused expression, he answered the fiery little girl. "I mean you and your family no harm, my little friend."
Leia scrunched up her nose at him, displeased with his words. "I'm not your friend," she retorted.
A little off put by the comment, he chuckled uncomfortably. "My apologizes, little one." He stated genuinely.
Unaffected by the repentant statement, she continued her scrutiny. "You are a short man." The first man the little girl has met other than her father, failed to impress her. Leia's distaste for Obi Wan growing as her mother rolling her eyes at her daughter.
"Leia! That is no way to speak to someone!" Padmé scolded the little girl as she gave her daughter a disapproving scowl, the embarrassment flushing her cheeks.
The Jedi put a pacifying hand up as he appreciated the child's honesty. At least this he could deal with and it was definitely better than that deafening silence. "It is alright. She is just stating the obvious. You're right, little one. I am shorter than Anakin." He smiled kindly in a way that usually wins people over.
The little girl couldn't be charmed. Leia furrowed her tiny eyebrows further, not convinced or moved by the gesture. Her petite mouth curling into a frown. "I don't like you."
"Leia!" Anakin chastised her this time. "That's rude!" Though a part of Anakin was amused by his daughter's boldness and wanted to laugh at the remark, it was not the right thing to say at the moment.
The spunky little girl slowly turned to her father, looking up at him, and flashed an unapologetic look. She blinked at him several times as her opinion had not changed before turning back to the bearded shorter man in front of her and resuming her sour expression with her arms crossed defiantly. She concluded that she'll appease her parents by not speaking further but this little girl knew exactly how she felt about the intruder.
"Well," Obi Wan started, clearing his throat as he couldn't help feel a little shaken by the explicit opinions of the five year old girl in front of him. The whole situation was surreal. Diplomatically, he responded, "You are entitled to your opinion." He watched as she nodded in agreement before continuing to glare at him and he said no more.
A silence covered the room again.
Luke spoke up as he finally dared to look up from the thread he was pulling on his pants. His curiosity got the better of him. "Why did you call my father Anakin?" The little boy questioned.
Luke watched the older man blink in confusion before he continued. "My father's name is Boaz."
Obi Wan's mouth dropped agape, realizing his mistake as dread and alarm trickled in. He kicked himself for making such an obvious mistake. Oh, will the awkwardness of the night ever improve? He supposed he deserved this.
Saving Obi Wan the trouble, Padmé spoke up this time, much to the older man's relief, as she rubbed her son's back in soothing circles, taking a quick glimpse at her husband looking for support. Anakin nodded in silent agreement, and she reluctantly continued. Today was a day for the truth to come out. It wasn't entirely unexpected as the young parents had prepared for this, although grudgingly. Actually, Padmé has continually pestered her husband about this until he relented as Anakin was keener on gambling that the day would never come to pass. Fate decided otherwise.
"Luke, honey." Padmé started in a low, comforting tone. "Mommy and Daddy had to change our names because we're hiding from some bad people that wanted to hurt us. That's why we're living out here." She instantly added when both children looked puzzled, "We're still your parents. And we love you very much." She looked up at Anakin, who nodded and gave the children an encouraging smile to help placate their confused look. Then she continued, "Nothing has changed. It's just..we used to go by another name a long time ago."
For one moment, the young parents hoped their children would just go with it and that they understood enough to accept it. It didn't happen that way.
At the words, Leia reacted by thrusting herself at her father and clinging tightly to his waist, her child's mind not wholly understanding the larger implications and was terrified by that. Anakin's arm swiftly came around and wrapped her petite body as he held her preciously close while he whispered soothing, supportive words of how much he loved her and how that would never change. And Obi Wan felt a pang of guilt at the sight.
Luke, on the other hand, had other things on his mind. To Padmé's surprise, instead of seeking consolation like his sister, he pointed at Obi Wan's side. "How come you dressed like that? You have a lightstick like my dad."
The aging Jedi looked at his left hip, his lightsaber clipped to his side, then studied Anakin's belt that mirrored the same. A smile crept on Obi Wan's face, impressed with how astute the young boy was. Hesitantly, with a questioning look, he turned to Anakin, who gave Leia a tight squeeze before returning the gaze.
"It's ok. You can tell him, Obi Wan." Anakin stated, his eyes steady and calmly trained on the Jedi.
Obi Wan licked his lips as he carefully chose his next words. "Your father and I." He started gingerly, not realizing how hard it was to say it out loud, as he felt his chest heavy and thick. Willing himself to continue, he pushed past the rising emotions as he took a deep breath before continuing, "We use to be Jedi together." His words sat heavily in the air lingering like spoken blasphemy and Anakin, feeling the same way, averted his eyes in a melancholy display.
"What are the Je-di?" Queried the young boy, the words foreign to him.
"We," Obi Wan started and paused, deciding on a different approach. "They were protectors of the galaxy. They kept the peace and defended the helpless." Obi Wan attention spun to Anakin briefly when he snorted in response before Obi Wan continued explaining to the young boy. "The Jedi wear robes like this and they wield a lightsaber." The Jedi plucked it off his belt, rolling it around in his palm but didn't activate it. "An elegant weapon. Not as clumsy or random as a blaster."
Luke eyed the lightsaber curiously, then turned to his father with wide eyes and jaw dropped in astonishment as he connected the information. "Dad? Is that true?! You protected the galaxy?"
Anakin was at a loss for words.
For a moment, Anakin could only stare at the adoring look his son gave him. He drank in the wonder in Luke's eyes, a face he had never seen on his son before. He couldn't help feel a swell of pride as his son saw him as a hero. It was thrilling in a way he couldn't really explained and hungered to continue to captivate his son.
"Uh, yeah, Luke. I use to be a Jedi." Anakin caught Obi Wan's disappointed look out the corner of his eye, knowing the old Jedi understood his meaning.
Luke was oblivious to this as his opened jaw flipped into a huge, adoring toothy smile. "Dad! That's so cool!"
Anakin found himself chuckling as he felt uncharacteristically shy all of a sudden. "Yeah, I guess." He unconsciously rubbed the back of his neck as he peeked over at Padmé and found her giving him a sad yet loving smile. She was always his biggest supporter and still was. And now he had two. His heart swelled with pride and stirred something dormant inside of him.
Unmoving from his position, Obi Wan observed the unadulterated and raw connection between Anakin and Padmé. He was always suspicious of how deep their 'friendship' went. A blush crept on his face as he hastily turned away at the private moment. And his guilt deepened further as the pit of his stomach churned miserably.
"So," Luke turned to face Obi Wan again. His face scrunched up, figuring things out. "If mom and dad are hiding from bad guys…" He remembered the fight between the two men right before and the angry trembles of energy that crackled in the air. "Does that mean Obi Wan is a bad guy?" Luke asked apprehensively, his eyes darting quickly between his father and the man across from them.
An air of defensiveness rose, Obi Wan spoke up as he sat up a little straighter, slightly taken back by the comment. "Uh, no. No, I'm not a bad guy. But I am helping to fight the bad guys with a group of people like me."
"Other Je-di?" Luke tested the word on his lips again.
Anakin looked away uncomfortable, as he couldn't honestly face his son at the moment, while Obi Wan answered slowly in a cautious voice. "Other people. And…I've come here to ask your father to come to join us."
The little boy's excitement swung wildly. Luke perked up as he ignored his sister's resentment through their bond. "You want my daddy to go fight the bad guys?" He ignored the warning his sister implored him to consider.
The words hung between them for a moment before Obi Wan nodded slowly. Tempering the rising hope, he studied the young boy's eager expression and hoped it would translate into some assertion against his doubts. This was it. The opportunity he was waiting for. This entire night he had waited for the Force to provide the opportunity and maybe, on some level, also prove to him that this was the right path. With bated breath, he dove in. "Your father is the only one that can defeat them."
Immediately, a pained look crossed the little girl's face as she knew exactly what he was asking. Leia's voice high and shrilling as she pleaded her worries, her eyes widen in horror. "Daddy, he's not going to take you away from us, is he?"
"No, Obi Wan." Anakin started quickly and with a sharp edge in his tone, heeding his daughter's worried expression. "I'm not going anywhere." He stated sternly as he clenched his fists.
Begrudgingly, Obi Wan didn't want to do this as his heart sat angrily in his chest. His conviction faltering under the little girl's distress. Yet, he found himself sitting forward with his hands in front of him in a pleading manner, the urgency coming through poignantly in his voice. "Anakin, please. You must hear me out. You are the Cho-"
Immediately, Anakin cut him off as he stood up abruptly, making both his children jump on the couch as they clung to each other. He snapped, "Don't say it! Don't you dare say it here!" His voice boomed and echoing off the walls. Filled with anger and frustration, Anakin towered over the old man. His nostrils flared and his eyes burning brightly.
Patiently observing up to now, Padmé decided the children had heard enough as she leaned over to scope the kids up tenderly, her voice calm as she reassured the frightened children. "Hey sweethearts, I think the adults need to talk privately. Let's get you to bed."
The distress still written all over her tiny face, with her eyes brimming with tears, Leia dug into her mother's arms as Padmé lifted her up, "He's not going to take daddy away, is he?" Her small voice quavered as her lip trembled frightfully.
Woefully, Padmé ignored the lump in her throat, putting on a brave face for her daughter. Her thoughts solely on comforting the little girl wrapped in her arms. In an endearing move, Padmé placed a loving kiss on her daughter's forehead as she hugged and comforted the little girl and was thankful when Leia relaxed a little in her arms. Satisfied enough, she turned her attention as she reached for Luke's hand with her free arm. Unfortunately for her, he had other ideas as he reflexively twisted away. Why was he always so difficult?
Apparently, Luke didn't learn from his previous defiance to his mother, forgetting her wrath and scorn. He was so intrigued by this old man, who knew so much about his father and of the people he mentioned called Jedi. As upset as Luke's father was, the little boy wasn't very good at noticing when tensions have gone too high as he was entranced with the old man's next words. He needed to know more!
Luke pouted dramatically, standing up from the couch. "But I wana listen!" He wailed.
His mother was not amused as a deep line etched into her forehead while giving him a harsh warning. She didn't have the patience for her son's curiosity or outburst. Truthfully, this whole night was utterly draining and it wasn't even close to being over. Her shoulders felt heavy and not because of the little girl in her arms. Padmé let out an exasperated sigh looking for help from Anakin with a pleading look.
The Jedi's words rattled him to his bones, Anakin's tone sharper than he intended in front of his children. A part of him barely registered his wife's pleadings as he clenched his jaw, the muscles bulging out dramatically. Although still visibly shaken by Obi Wan, he willed himself out of his frenzied emotions for his family's sake. Steeling himself, he took a deep cleansing breath before walking over.
With a commanding hand on the young lad's shoulder, Anakin turned Luke to face him as he peered down at his rebellious son, "Listen to your mother. It's past your bedtime and you guys need to go back to sleep."
"But…" Luke protested weakly, knowing he would lose now that his father was involved.
"No buts! Do as your told, Luke." His father firmly scolded him as Luke gave one futile imploring look before reluctantly taking his mother's hand and Padmé silently thanked her husband.
As her father neared, Leia's distressed five years old eyes followed her father, filled with tears threatening to overflow, her delicate, small hand reaching out towards him. "Daddy…"
Instantly, her father reached out, holding her hand tightly, and placing a comforting kiss on it. "It's going to be ok, Leia. I promise." He combed his hand through her soft curls and kissed the top of her head. "Go with your mother." He was filled with relief when she conceded and buried her face in her mother's neck.
Padmé flashed Anakin a brief appreciative look. It was in their children's best interest that she shield their young minds and leave the room despite how distressing the process was. But a part of her wanted to stay, not really trusting the two men in front of her.
"Anakin," she started to say as she searched her husband's eyes. Holding the twins, Padmé's face was set with a grave expression as she worried Anakin a look.
Anakin's face broke into an encouraging smile before he replied. "I'll behave, I promise." As he answered her unspoken question and, thumb on her chin, he leaned in to lightly brush his lips against hers.
Briefly, she closed her eyes at the contact, savoring the short moment before she turned and duplicated the warning looked at Obi Wan. Giving him a much more stern facade, she narrowed her eyes, knowing he'll understand her intentions and if he didn't, she wouldn't hesitate to verbalize them in front of the children.
"I will be the perfect gentleman." Obi Wan stated, ignoring Anakin's skeptical look.
Pausing for a moment, the tension in the air still thickly present, deciding whether she believed them as she bit her lip. Then, letting out an audible sigh, Padmé concluded that it would have to due but not before throwing the two men another warning look. Their averted gaze gave her the confirmation she was looking for as she turned and ushered the children back to bed.
With his wife and children safely out of the room, Anakin released the emotions he held back for their sake, his face drawn tight with concern and displeasure. Instead of standing idly by, he opted to pace back and forth with one arm on his hip and the other over his mouth. The air teeming with tension as he traveled back and forth in front of the couch in a tight circle while Obi Wan wondered if he would soon leave a worn trail in his wake.
After watching this for several agonizingly slowly minutes, Obi Wan had enough and decided to finally speak up. Addressing the bantha in the room. "Look," he started, noting that the young father in front of him continued to pace undeterred. "I don't care what happened five years ago."
Anakin scoffed harshly and gave him an unbelieving side eye as he continued pacing, now with his arms crossed in front of him, his pace picking up ever so slightly.
"Believe me, when I see you and Padmé here with your children," Obi Wan replied, his eyebrows twisting together woefully. "I would rather not uproot you from them." Obi Wan confessed soberly. Although he has always put duty before personal interest, this time, it was more difficult. The situation was so unbelievably complicated and delicate. With a cold twist of guilt in his chest, his heart heavy and burdened, he didn't really want to be here.
"Oh really?" Anakin snapped, visibly irritated as he pointed back to where his wife took their children. Leia's terrified face imprinted on his mind. "Did you see that because I'm not sure you understand what's going on here? My family needs me!" His voice strained as he threw up his hands, resuming his pacing.
"The galaxy needs you." Obi Wan countered.
"The galaxy can burn for all I care." Anakin hissed.
"Anakin, it has been. For five long years, it has been." Declared the galaxy worn Jedi in a hushed tone.
And the annoyance bubbling up in Anakin's chest erupted like a long overdue volcano. He didn't ask for any of this! He minded his own business and went on peacefully living beyond the cares and concerns of the galaxy. He left them alone, so why couldn't the galaxy leave him alone? He fixed Obi Wan a stony glare, the old fossil, a relic of a time long expired, trying desperately to be relevant in this new galaxy. This new oppressive and chaotic universe.
That he helped create.
Anakin barked back, his voice hoarse with guilt and rage. "You have some nerve showing up here after all these years." Stopping his wanderings to turn and challenged the old man. The young father narrowed his eyes as he asked, "What did you expect would happen when you found me?"
Biting the inner part of his lip, Obi Wan just studied Anakin's eyes for a moment with so many thoughts spinning in his mind, it was always like a game of sabacc with Anakin, one carefully placed move at a time. Softly, he replied, "I don't know."
"You don't know?" Anakin repeated with the incredulous edge in his voice. Laughing bitterly, he shot a questioning frown at the old man for several long seconds as Obi Wan returned an unrevealing expression, holding his place. A snarl curled on Anakin's lip as he came to his own conclusion.
"You think I care about any of that anymore?" The volume in his voice tempered only so it didn't reach his children's ears. "That I want to be some hero? To fight for some so called delusional idea of justice and peace? To be a Jedi?" Anakin scowled resentfully with just a hint of something else in his voice.
"You did once before." Obi Wan replied with a steady and calm tone.
"And look where that got me!" Anakin swiftly snapped at him and felt slightly vindicated with his outburst when he was treated to Obi Wan blanching bleakly in recognition of the comment.
"No, Obi Wan. I'm not the same person you left back on Coruscant when you took off for Utapau. That person is gone." He spat out with his voice tight and strained, barely holding back the dam of painful memories with the look of distaste in his eyes. "He's done! He doesn't exist anymore!" He hissed, accentuating each remark dramatically with a pointed finger.
The immense and deafening grief that shook Obi Wan's soul overwhelmed the old man as he took a sharp intake of breath. Watching as the young man before him returned bitterly to his pacing, he decided to give Anakin a moment. He needed one too. So much regret and doubt and anger lived between them.
The divide between the two men never feeling more distant than at that moment.
But underneath all of that was still a brotherly love they had for each other. It's why Anakin hadn't kicked him out of his home yet and how Obi Wan could even fathom asking the unpredictable and volatile young man for help. Never mind come what may in the coming days and all the questions that came with it.
A warmth filled his chest as his face reflected the endearing spirit in his heart and he clung to that hope. "I believe that person still lives inside you." Tentatively, he waited and when Anakin didn't react, he took that as a sign of him listening. So he continued, "That same little boy we rescued off Tatooine all those years ago."
There was a still moment that seemed to last forever as Obi Wan held his breath, waiting for a response from the mercurial man in front of him. Sure enough, Anakin slowly turned around but with a new gentleness in his eyes. The ferocity in Anakin's eyes replaced with something Obi Wan couldn't quite put his finger on. And Obi Wan was hopeful that he had reached the stubborn man in front of him.
It was a fleeting moment as the look vanished from his eyes. Anakin blinked and turned away, staring out one of the windows with his hands on his hips, deep in thought. As the young husband and father gazed out the window, a softness in his posture caused Obi Wan to step closer out of curiosity.
Seeing his former Padawan move, Obi Wan abruptly halted when Anakin spun back to face him again but with an unreadable expression on his face, which caused the Jedi to take a hesitant step back.
Anakin responded cooly, his voice steady and low. "I also met Padmé back then."
Not what he was expecting, Obi Wan scratched his beard, baffled and unsure where this was going. For a moment, he had forgotten that important fact though he was surprised how he could. He responded thoughtfully, "Yes, I do remember that."
Continuing his mysterious nature, Anakin searched Obi Wan's eyes and the Jedi was even more confused. With a guarded expression, Anakin responded, "And I loved her even back then." His voice tender and honest.
Raising his eyebrows and then relaxing them, Obi Wan carefully picked through his next words, not yet completely grasping the context. "Well, I mean, it's not uncommon to have a childlike crush on someone at that age."
"That only grew when I saw her again." Anakin reminded him.
Ah. Now he understood.
Understanding settling in, Obi Wan sighed heavily and a bit wearily as he relented, finally recognizing what Anakin was getting at. "Yes, Anakin. I remember," he answered sullenly.
It was the overly worn topic that lingered between them. Against what the Jedi Council ordered, he knew Anakin's first assignment, which involved protecting Senator Amidala, was a huge mistake. During that time, there was a bond foraged then that grew over time, quietly noted only by the people closest to Anakin. Over the years, it was something that came up time and time again. Doing his duty as a Jedi, Obi Wan would mention something about the Jedi Code and, unsurprisingly and predictably, Anakin denied it, saying they were just friends and the two of them would leave it like that. The issue dropped-the giant blaring bantha in the room.
Obi Wan never mentioned this to the Council as he covered for Anakin more times than he liked to remember, much of which the young man was oblivious to. To make a point, he had hoped mentioning his history with Satine would be an example to Anakin. Taking a moment, he peered over to the children's bedrooms bitterly. Obviously, the lesson wasn't clearly understood. Or maybe completely ignored, which bothered Obi Wan even more.
"You never really did hide your affections for Padmé." Obi Wan mentioned after several painful minutes. The bitterness cutting into his words.
Anakin cryptically admitted to the Jedi. "We're married."
With growing impatience, Obi Wan scratched his beard in frustration as he struggled to maintain their current cordial interaction. Begrudgingly, he knew exactly what Anakin was trying to do and he wasn't going to start an argument about this. There really wasn't a point anymore. He remembered what the medical facility receptionist said on Lothal about a married couple. "Yes, I suppose when she was pregnant, that was something necessary." Obi Wan concluded amicably yet still feeling troubled.
"We married right after Geonosis." Anakin clarified.
"Geo…" Obi Wan gasped. The revelation so outrageous he couldn't mask his reaction. Heat rose to his face, the affront so appalling as he quickly understood the gravity of their actions. Then, his anger bubbled up in his chest in a way only Anakin was capable of causing. He completely lost his sensibility. Obi Wan roared, "You mean to tell me you guys were married the entire time!? Since the start of the Clone Wars?"
The shrill in his voice was deeply satisfying to Anakin. He grinned full of mirth as he answered nonchalantly, "Yep."
Obi Wan fixed him a death glare, shooting daggers out of his enraged eyes, his hands trembled at his side. He replied, hotly, "And you never thought to tell me?!"
"Slipped my mind." Anakin breathed unashamed with a smug, arrogant expression. The indifference he exuded further infuriating Obi Wan.
The Jedi gritted his teeth. "Anakin, you…"
"Disobeyed the Jedi Code forbidding attachment. Yes, I did and I have never regretted it." Anakin replied with such smoothness and certainty that it made Obi Wan falter for a second.
Anakin grinned devilishly. A sense of satisfaction rising in him at the crude reaction from the usually poised and self righteous Jedi. As expected, he figured this would stir something in Obi Wan. Maybe there was a time where the aging Jedi's opinion meant the world to Anakin. How he couldn't bear the look of the inevitable disappointment on his face.
But not anymore.
Those concerns didn't bother the father of twins and the husband to Padmé Skywalker. Maybe now he'll understand and leave him alone. This is what's necessary and precious to Anakin. It always has been and Obi Wan was too blind to see it. The boy he thought he knew he never knew at all. With no regrets, Anakin didn't care what Obi Wan thought of him anymore. At least, so he told himself.
"You still want me to help you?" Anakin tested him.
Upset was when Anakin lost another lightsaber. Furious was when Anakin snuck out of the Temple at night to go Podracing. Disappointed was… Well, there was no need to think about that now. This was on a completely different level. And Obi Wan glared at him with a sharp look that could cut through beskar like butter. Anakin always knew how to push his buttons as he was doing now. Yet, he wouldn't give his former Padawan the satisfaction of conceding to his little game. He was Obi Wan Kenobi and he wouldn't let such petty things deter him. He always rose above his emotions.
Once again, in times of great strife, he called upon the Force to center himself as he felt his heart rate slow and the tension relaxing from his muscles. He made a conscious choice to speak not from a place of anger or disappointment but of sincerity and humility and care.
"You're the only one that can do this. Maybe you don't believe in the prophecy but there's a reason I'm here. You did a brilliant job hiding. Believe me, if it was anyone else, they wouldn't be able to find you but the fact remains that I did. I believe the Force has led me here for a reason. You have to come back and make things right."
Then there was a silence between them. Once again, the young man did the unexpected, he turned away and Obi Wan looked genuinely surprised by the action. The man before him more unpredictable then he had ever known and it made him realize just how much he never really understood about his former Padawan. A great sorrow clenched at his heart again.
Unsure of how Anakin would react, he put his faith in their bond. That after all these years, they still had some connection left between them. Carefully stepping forward behind a visibly tense Anakin, he reached out and placed a kind hand on his shoulder. Touching Anakin again opened locked away emotions as it closed the growing distance between them in more ways than one. Obi Wan whispered, hoping the genuineness in his intentions came through. "I'm asking you personally. Please, Anakin. I need your help. I can't do this without you." His voice deep and open, letting his sincerity and vulnerability show through.
Obi Wan's words shook him. Squeezing his eyes shut, Anakin shuffled through a myriad of sentiments: regret, pain, sorrow, anger, resentment, relief, and finally, appreciation. He opened his eyes to take a fleeting glance at Obi Wan's hand on his shoulder, considering the man next to him. He remembered their bond as master and apprentice, as brothers in arms, they took on the galaxy together and when the two of them were involved, there was nothing they couldn't accomplish. But, Anakin's optimism and hope died with Obi Wan when he left that life behind. Too much had happened since then. Things Anakin couldn't come back from.
But the look Luke gave him was something he hadn't seen in a long time. It reminded him of a time when he was a protector and served the greater good. It filled him with a sense of purpose in his life he didn't know he still cared about but also reminded him of a great deal of lingering melancholy. Maybe the old man was on to something, that there was still something left for Anakin to do; unfinished business that Anakin needed to fulfill. The dreams that haunted him at night was a constant reminder of this. And reminded him of what he had done.
Relentless shame cast its shadow on him once again.
"I-" Anakin started, unsure of himself as he furrowed his brows. "I don't think I can do it." He honestly stated softly with a trembling voice.
As so often the case when it came to Anakin, Obi Wan's heart yielded. Ever so loyal, he came to his aide like he did so many times in the past. He was foolish to think himself immune to such a thing. He'd always been devoted to the person in front of him, bending and breaking the Jedi Code for him, but right now, he didn't care. The Force gave him back the precious soul in front of him and he would not squander such a gift.
"I promise you. This time-" He began, as he took a deep, shaky breath full of regret for past mistakes, for wrong priorities, for not listening better. "This time, I'm not going anywhere. I'm going to be right there next to you, by your side, the entire way."
Hope shone brightly in Anakin's eyes as he turned to consider his old Master. His eyes clear and exposed as Obi Wan saw the boy he naively thought he could raise. They had been through too much together: bled together, grieved together, tasted victory from the jaws of defeat, rejoiced for the small happiness they could grasp, laughed at jokes only they understood. It was a lifetime of memories and far too much to just throw away. So, it gave him the courage to continue.
"I wasn't there for you before, Anakin. Not when you needed me the most. And not a day goes by that I don't regret going to Utapau." Anakin's eyes widen at the older man's confession and he shifted uncomfortably with the foreign expression on his former Master's face. Despite treading unfamiliar waters with Anakin, Obi Wan continued, "But I'm here now and I'm not leaving your side this time. I swear on my honor as a Jedi."
Overcome by his words, Anakin knew Obi Wan's honor as a Jedi was one of the most important things. He held his identity in high regard, even above Anakin, as the young man always felt second best to Obi Wan's duty as a Jedi Master. Yet, this time, it gave his words more meaning. When he was alone, Anakin would often reflect on what happened last on Coruscant and the rift and mistrust that steadily grew between them. He dreamt of what remorseful words Obi Wan would say, of course in vain. Doubtfully, he would shake it off and quickly brush off the ridiculous notion. But to have him here now, standing in front of him, acknowledging the pain he created in him. To Anakin's great surprise, he didn't realize how much he needed to hear this.
"Kenobi and Skywalker," Anakin finally muttered out loud. The household name HoloNet made famous of the duo, known throughout the Republic, the valiant heroes children themselves modeled after.
Relief washed over the old man's face as he gently smiled, the cracks around his aging eyes becoming more apparent. For a moment, those five years they lost seemed to disappear as Obi Wan lifted his hand, holding onto Anakin's shoulder like he had done so many times before, and gave him a firm squeeze. He replied, "Just like the good ol' days."
Although, to be fair, not to be ungrateful for the moment as the sentiment was much needed, but it was also more than the young man could typically handle. A wolfish grin crossed Anakin's face, turning a sly eyebrow at Obi Wan, Anakin insisted, "you know, I always thought Skywalker and Kenobi sounded better."
A chuckle rattled in Obi Wan's chest as he crossed his weary arms. A part of him was relieved by the lighthearted jab as Obi Wan conceded, "if that is what you want."
The familiar smirk morphed into something more crafty on the young man's face. "It seems more appropriate seeing that I did most of the work."
What a typical thing for Anakin to say but he found himself relishing the jab this time more than he ever had before. Obi Wan gave him a half hearted side eye as he retorted, "planning and strategy are just as vital as assertion and action."
"If you say so," Anakin simply stated, both smiling in a way they haven't in years and it felt good.
A throat cleared in a corner, startling the two men back into the present moment, as they curiously turn to the sound. At the entrance to the living room, with her arms crossed and an endearing and amused look gracing her lovely features, stood Padmé.
"Shall I assume the two of you worked things out?"
Silently, she had witnessed part of the interaction from afar and was pleased with what she hoped in her heart would come to pass. The two men may have a history together but she also knew both individuals intimately and maybe understood them better than themselves. At the sight in front of her, she felt her heart light and joyful and even cherishing when the two men, suddenly self aware, peered at her with wide eyes and a slightly sheepish look on their face as if they were caught drinking the last of the blue milk.
The moment soon passed as she watched her Anakin brazen spirit returning with dashing flare.
"I decided Obi Wan doesn't need to sleep in the chicken coop tonight."
At that, the old man rolled his eyes dramatically.
"And, I'm sure Obi Wan appreciates it," Padmé added, her tone light and teasing as she gave the older man a sympathetic look while trying not to be affected by the charming wink her husband threw her way. His way of telling her that he behaved just like he said he would.
Awash in joy and her heart swollen full, she lightly chastised Anakin's theatrics with a shake of her head, then suddenly shifting her face into a serious and stern tone she so often used as a Senator in the past. "Ani, can you give Obi Wan and I a moment to talk?" The former Senator requested.
Anakin swallowed hard, recognizing the seriousness in his wife's features. Even though it wasn't turned at him, he couldn't help but slightly cower under the look. The father of twins learned a long time ago, very early in their marriage, not to discredit the sharpness in the expression she currently held. One wrong move could quickly warp that look into a deadly weapon that even Master Yoda would melt under.
Quickly and hesitantly, he responded. "Uh, sure. I'll just be-" he motioned outside the living area as he threw the old man a remorseful look.
Obi Wan flicked a knowing glance at Anakin, recognizing the look on the young mother's face and not finding any comfort in Anakin's grim expression. Dread pooled in the old man's stomach once again.
As the young father passed his wife on the way out of the living room, he suddenly drew her close, wrapping his arm around her waist and pulling her in for a deep kiss. After the initial shock, Padmé leaned into the kiss, closing her eyes as she tenderly stroked her husband's face. The display was so intimate that Obi Wan averted his eyes, choosing to study a particularly large stain on the couch.
"Be nice," Anakin teased, echoing her initial sentiment from earlier. She breathed exasperatedly as she shooed him off with a wave of her hand. Then turned her attention to the old Jedi in front of her.
"Please Obi Wan, sit down." Padmé stated formally.
Despite not knowing what was about to happen, Obi Wan kept his wits about him as he swallowed heavily, unconsciously twitching his muscles. He gave Padmé a stiff smile as he made his way to the couch.
Gently, Padmé lowered herself next to him with her posture proper yet commanding but her face gentle and understanding as she softly spoke to Obi Wan. "I know he made mistakes, Obi Wan," she confessed.
Her directness jolted him. His eyes exhausted as he sighed wearily. A scowl crossed his face as he faced away from her. "Right to the point, I see."
Looking back, Obi Wan had known Padmé for so many years, maybe not as personally as Anakin, but he did respect her boldness and assertion. She and Bail were two unique politicians he actually respected. Mon Mothma as well to a certain degree. She was honest and a part of him knew this conversation would happen. The determined look on her face as evidence he wouldn't be able to dodge this. The one thing he wasn't ready to speak about.
Catching his expression, Padmé placed her hand on top of Obi Wan. If he was going to take her Anakin away, he needed to understand what happened. So this gave her the conviction to continue this uncomfortable yet necessary conversation. Padmé's touch was soft and gentle as she waited for him to face her again.
She smiled sorrowfully, the pain embedded deep in her intense brown eyes. "I know, Obi Wan. Trust me. I know what he did. I'm not blind to the people he killed."
Obi Wan blinked at her. Seeing her here with Anakin and their children had left some question in his mind yet out of respect for her he didn't really dwell on it. His focus was mostly on Anakin. To be honest, he probably did believe she had to have a certain degree of ignorance in order to live this life. A heat rushed to his face, embarrassed that he thought so little of her.
And at that moment, he realized what it took for Padmé to forgive Anakin. How much grief she had to swallow to offer atonement for Anakin's wrongdoing. Obi Wan always knew she was a strong person but he never fully understood to what extent until now. He found himself silently thankful that the Force brought Padmé into Anakin's life. Her role was pivotal in bringing back Anakin from the Dark side. Deep down, he knew he couldn't offer that level of forgiveness to Anakin and he doubted that he ever will. Padmé's strength humbled him.
Padmé broke through his thoughts, lifting her hand away from his as she spoke, "He mourns their death, you know. He mutters in his sleep, asking for forgiveness." She looked away, her eyes glazed over as she saw something he couldn't see. "He doesn't think I notice and I pretend that I don't. I know that doesn't make up for what he's done." She bit the bottom of her lip as her mind drifted off further, then shakes her head before turning back to Obi Wan and continuing, "He's a great father. He really is. And resourceful! I mean, he built all of this for us." She gestured to the house, the farm, the droids. All the symbols of things he created in contrast to the things he had destroyed.
Shaking his head woefully, Obi Wan looked down into his lap. They had a beautiful home here and now that he's really seen how precious it was, he was hesitant to disrupt that, but that he did.
Once more, Obi Wan spoke up, "The galaxy still needs him, Padmé. The fact that I found him proves that the Force brought me here for a reason. I think-." He tapered off, hesitantly, before answering, "I think he's still the Chosen One. We've tried to take down the Emperor. The rebellion isn't strong enough. We can't even get close to him! Anakin is the only one to end this dreadful nightmare. Only he can bring down the Emperor. He's is our only hope. You must know this, Padmé."
Padmé turned her head, studying the closed door to her children's room, willing back the tears that threatened to wash down her face. In her heart, she knew this day would come. She thought she was prepared for this, but still, the anguish wrecked her heart.
"I know." The finality in her voice caused Obi Wan to look at her shocked but she ignored it.
Strengthening her resolve, she pulled herself together, putting on that bold face she often did as Queen of Naboo and that infamously determined Senatorial facade that made her political opponents groan with dread. Drawing from an unknown source deep inside her, she willed the courage to arise as she spoke, "I need you to make me a promise, Obi Wan." Her stern eyes searching the tired blue eyes in front of her. "Promise me that you will bring Anakin home to me. Promise me this."
"Padmé-" Obi Wan began to protest.
She cut him off as she reiterated, "On your honor, Obi Wan. His family needs him. I need him. You have to promise me that you'll do everything in your power to bring Anakin home. ALIVE. Please, Obi Wan." She pleaded.
Reluctantly, Obi Wan crossed his arms in front of him, letting out a shaky breath. It was a tall order to ask and although he knew she would ask this of him, he still dreaded it. His thoughts went to Luke, that brave little boy with the sun kissed blond hair and passionate blue eyes just like his father, and how he fearlessly threw himself in front of Anakin, futilely shielding his father. To Leia, who was a mirror image of her mother yet feisty with the bravado distinctively Anakin. To Padmé, who gave up absolutely everything for her family. For all these reasons, he had made his decision.
Stirring deep emotions in Obi Wan, he nodded almost to himself as he set steady eyes on the beautiful mother in front of him. "Ok, Padmé. I promise you, on my honor as a Jedi, that I will bring Anakin back to you, alive." He emphasized the last word and sealed his fate.
A grateful smile tenderly cracked her serious demeanor, content with the outcome, and Obi Wan's heart swelled with peace and gladness, banishing any hesitation he had making that promise.
Padmé reached for and tightly clenched Obi Wan's hand in an enduring thankful gesture as she beamed bright, before stating, "Thank you, Obi Wan."
He returned the squeeze realizing how much he had missed the amazing person before him. Another empty hole he had forgotten about and simultaneously filled at the same time.
He smiled sadly to himself as he looked down at her delicate hand, noting how it had weathered and roughed from when he last saw her. It brought up a passing thought as he released her hand while he clicked his tongue. Immediately, his face stilled as he straightened up. "One more thing, former Senator Amidala." Obi Wan stated in a formal tone, a reminder of their past history together, but had the undercurrent of a tease she didn't miss.
Sure enough, Padmé retraced her hand and placed both expectantly in her lap as she also sat a little more proper, carrying a small knowing smile as she waited for him to continue.
"In all the years we've known each other," Obi Wan started. "You could have said something about your marriage." He added wryly.
She laughed heartily at that. "Oh," she breathed. "That's for Anakin to tell you and completely out of my jurisdiction." The former Senator concluded.
Obi Wan snorted at that, ruefully replying, "Spoken like a true politician."
A/N: I modeled Leia to embody Anakin's stubbornness, strong, passionate feelings, and loyalty to her family. Obi Wan did come and disrupt their peace, so I can't blame her for feeling that way. There's no diplomacy in this matter and Leia wasn't having any of it. I threw in some subtle lines from ANH where Obi Wan had initially spoke to R2 calling him "little friend." I couldn't resist having Leia call Obi Wan short like in ESB where Leia called stormtrooper Luke short.
I also apologize ahead of time for Leia in the next chapter. If you thought she was upset in this chapter...oiy! The poor girl broke my heart and it's only partially written!
I spent a lot of time figuring out how Obi Wan and Anakin would have this type of conversation and how Padmé would react. Did I pull on your heartstrings? Master Filioni I hope I made you proud! LOL! I hope you guys liked it!
Next update will be for DNE.