Incognito12 - Glad you enjoyed the humor. Xanatos is trying to guide Anakin. His abilities will soon be put to a bigger test than he has faced before.

Chapter 38

The star map room was large with abundant floor space. Though an important location, it wasn't continuously occupied, and knights and masters were required to reserve the room for use. There were no windows for daydreaming padawans to listlessly gaze out of and it was not located near the areas the youth of the Temple frequented. Thus, it was a favorite place for masters to send their wayward padawans. The floor was rumored to be clean enough to eat off of on some days.

Garen wasn't surprised to see a padawan scrubbing away on the floor when he returned to retrieve a datapad he had mistakenly left behind. His hands practically ached in sympathy as he remembered the feel of pruned, soap-hardened fingers. Force knew he had spent enough time in this room.

The youth didn't acknowledge him, continuing to work in silence, as though he didn't want to be noticed. And then he placed the familiar Force signature, surprised he had not picked up on the youth's identity. Perhaps it had just seemed too improbable.

"I thought they had droids to do the cleaning around here," Garen called out.

He saw shoulders rise and tense, before Ben offered a plain, "They do, Master Muln."

Garen knew Ben well enough that he could imagine the youth trying to blend into his surroundings. Some padawans wore their discipline as a badge of honor, boldly bragging on the creativity and lengths their masters had to go to teach the next lesson. Others were horrified, the humiliation of actually being disciplined far worse than the actual task assigned. That was just the way it was. The latter seemed to find their way onto the Council later in life, while the former went on to brilliantly save the galaxy with their unconventional ways. Either that or they got into trouble … on a galactic scale.

"So what did you do to earn this sentence?" Garen asked as though casually exchanging pleasantries.

Ben rose up on his knees, stretching the sore muscles in his back. "I got myself good and drunk … on a mission. After that, I'm not really sure what happened." The padawan looked back up toward the door as though he were being watched. "I'm actually not supposed to be talking to anyone."

"Ah, but I'm not just anyone." Garen sat down in a nearby chair, making it clear he didn't intend to leave. "What else has your master had you doing?"

Ben's shoulders slumped, a deep sigh escaping his lips. He obviously didn't want to discuss this matter and was eager to have the whole incident fade into the past. "I have been restricted to quarters when not working, training, or in my master's company. Let's see. Master Obi-Wan sent me to do some work, weeding and pruning mostly, in the Eastern Meditation Garden."

At eighty percent humidity, the Eastern Meditation Garden was great for some species, but for a human dressed in multiple layers of clothing, it was just plain stifling.

"I'll bet that was hot."

"You have no idea," Ben said quickly. A momentary grimace settled over the youth's features as he dunked his scrub brush again and started on yet another tile. "And today, I've been working on this. There have been four groups in, one included a youngling that couldn't handle the rotation of the maps and vomited all over the floor."

"Lucky you." Garen bit down on his lip to keep from laughing out loud. "So, your first time in this much trouble?" He didn't have to ask, it was obvious.

"Yes."

"Well, congratulations."

"You wouldn't be saying that if I was your padawan," Ben said, casting a glance back over his shoulder.

"No, and if you were my padawan you would be scrubbing the hangar bays," Garen commented. "The grime doesn't come up as easily as it does here. You have to wear heavy gloves because the chemicals needed to remove it would strip your skin off."

"It's actually not the work that bothers me," Ben admitted. "I let my master down. He's never looked that disappointed in me before."

Garen caught himself smiling at what he was about to divulge. No padawan should ever believe their master was perfect and had never walked in their shoes. "Your master never got the floor this clean. His work was always a little substandard in my opinion."

"Master Obi-Wan?"

"You didn't think he never got drunk, did you?" Garen let out a hearty laugh. "I remember us leaving to go celebrate me turning eighteen, walking into one of the clubs on Coruscant, and then waking up on Xanatos' floor the next morning."

"But you weren't on a mission," Ben pointed out.

"Yes, but our masters had spent hours worried out of their minds when we missed our curfews. I distinctly remember us appealing to Xanatos to speak with our masters before we had to face them the next day." Garen shrugged his shoulders. "We all make mistakes. It doesn't excuse them, but we hopefully learn from them and move on."

The door to the room opened, and Obi-Wan stepped into the entrance. "I should go now," Garen said. "I've hindered your progress long enough." He flashed Obi-Wan a smile and slapped him on the shoulder as he passed. "Like master, like padawan," he whispered, laughing at the scowl directed his way.

Obi-Wan continued to where his padawan was, noticing the youth begin to scrub even harder. Kneeling down in front of Ben, he glanced out across the floor, practically able to see his reflection in the gleaming tile.

"You've outdone yourself, Padawan."

"I am getting lots of practice," Ben said, not looking up from his work.

It didn't feel right to Obi-Wan. His padawan should not still be too ashamed to look him in the eyes. He had no doubt that Ben's pride had been wounded, and perhaps it was good for the youth to see that he had such a proud streak.

"I don't think it shined like this when I was done with it." Obi-Wan looked back to the door. "And, I'm sure you know all about that now."

"I know enough to get a general idea."

It was the first sign of a smile Obi-Wan had seen in days, but it quickly faded. "Ben, put down the brush and look at me." The youth immediately complied. "You act as though you have done the forgivable."

"I let you down."

"Yes, you did, for a single moment in your apprenticeship. That doesn't erase all your accomplishments, and what I know your nature is. You have paid your penance and now it is time to move on." The master reached out and squeezed his apprentice's shoulder, happy to see understanding surface in Ben's deep brown eyes. "That is what Jedi do," he added, to emphasize his point. "Now, you are leaving on a mission the day after tomorrow, and I want you to be well-rested. It is your first solo mission, after all."

"What do you mean?"

"I think you should enjoy yourself. Maybe this evening you can do something with your friends from the crèche."

"They are all on missions." A smile tugged at the corner of Ben's lips. "Have you eaten yet, Master? Maybe we could get something out in Coruscant."

"I would like that," Obi-Wan said. "Shall we?" he asked, getting up off the floor.

"I have a little more to finish."

"It's just this corner, Padawan. I said this was no longer necessary …"

"It will bother me if it doesn't get done, Master. It's obviously still dirty."

"Very well, Padawan. I will be waiting when you are ready. Just remember this is self-inflicted abuse."

"Yes, Master."

The suns had long set over Tatooine, but directly after the evening meal was often busy on a moisture farm. It was cool, and there were still a few hours left to accomplish what could not be done during the heat of the day before retiring to the safety of underground homes. Xanatos sat down the datapad he was reading, sensing his apprentice approach the small room they shared on their visits.

Anakin flopped through the door, shoulders hunched, and slumped down on the floor next to the sleep couch with a whimper.

"Let's see the damage," Xanatos said.

As Anakin was discovering, the life of a moisture farmer was hard work. Holding up his hands for his mentor to see the rough blisters that had formed, he grumbled, "This is cruel and unusual punishment."

"Perhaps you have a greater respect for what your step-brother must endure."

"Yeah, I hope he's enjoying his little vacation," Anakin spat out. "My hands haven't hurt this bad since I was preparing for padawan sparing competitions last."

Xanatos took out a tube of salve, rubbing it gently over Anakin's cracked palms. "Well, it's over now, and I will give you a couple of days off to recover."

"Very funny, Master," Anakin scoffed. "We're going to be on a transport."

"And that time is all yours," Xanatos replied. "You best rest up, we leave early tomorrow."

Yes, Anakin had worked hard during this visit, taking on all of Owen's responsibilities for the time. The truth was, Cliegg was going to be glad to have his son back. Anakin was not a moisture farmer. The youth settled down into his bedroll as Xanatos turned the lights off.

"Owen and Beru seem to really like each other," he said softly.

Xanatos had wondered when this would come up. Owen had spent nearly every spare moment he had with the young woman, Beru even taking meals with the family. There was a genuine love that flowed between them, and Xanatos had no doubt they would eventually wed. None of their interactions had gone unnoticed by the lovesick padawan he suspected was now staring up at the ceiling.

"They do," he answered.

"Master, have you ever been in love?"

And here was the question Xanatos had dreaded. "I had hoped you would speak with your mother about matters of love while we were here, given the feelings you expressed for Senator Amidala."

"I was drunk, Master."

"But those were your feelings, just the same, Padawan."

A sigh escaped into the darkness, Anakin seeming to choose his words carefully. "Mom will ask me what my heart says, and I have a feeling that would go against what you or the Council would say." There was a brief pause, and Xanatos wondered if he might escape. "So, have you been in love?"

"No, I haven't," he replied.

"Not even when you were young like me?"

"I think you would call my particular vice lust, Anakin."

"Master?!" Anakin said in a shocked laugh.

"Lust for money, power, and yes, pleasure. Remember, I wasn't a good man in my youth. I was greedy and wanted only to conquer and control … to serve myself." He shifted on the sleep couch, almost able to see the outline of his apprentice as his eyes adjusted to the darkness. "Love cannot exist within that."

"I think I love Padme."

"You have barely spent any time in her company, and this was your first time seeing her in almost nine years," Xanatos pointed out. "Not to mention the dangers of attachment or the fact that it is forbidden by the Council." And now he needed to ask the question he feared asking. "Would you be willing to give up your life as a Jedi for her?"

There was more silence as Anakin considered the question. "Is friendship with her acceptable? Could I write … exchange messages with her?" Anakin asked, grasping for anything to hold on to.

"Do you really think you could pursue a friendship with Padme without wanting more?" Xanatos challenged.

"I am so confused, Master," he ground out in frustration. "I just know I can't stop thinking about her."

"I know of someone at the Temple who would be willing to speak with you, someone who has been in this place before."

The sound of a chuckle drifted up to the sleep couch. "I don't want to bear my soul to someone I don't know, especially about something like this."

"You know him well, and we will see him soon enough," Xanatos explained.

"You're kidding, Master," Anakin said, making the connection. "Obi-Wan has been in love?"

"Yes, Padawan. And he had to make a choice, just as you do."

The ship resting on the landing pad of the Temple looked lonely sitting out as the sun rose over Coruscant, light glinting off the spires above them. Obi-Wan found it hard to believe he was putting his apprentice in that vessel to leave … alone. The galaxy was full of danger, as he well knew. But it was the natural flow of training for a padawan to spread his wings and see what he could do on his own. It was an experience that would reveal what Obi-Wan still needed to work on, and hopefully give Ben some confidence in his own abilities, and it would hasten the day when Ben became a knight.

"Remember, if you have questions, or run into something you think is over your head contact me."

"Am I allowed to do that?" Ben asked.

"Ben, this isn't your Trials." Obi-Wan let out an amused chuckle. "It is your first solo mission, and it would only be natural to contact me with questions. The point of the mission is that you must ultimately complete it on your own."

The youth nodded, his steps growing heavier as he approached the waiting ship.

"Don't be afraid. I have the utmost confidence in you," Obi-Wan assured him. "Yes … even after the events of recent weeks."

"Thank you, Master," Ben said, bowing his head briefly. "Master Xanatos and Anakin will be back tomorrow, correct?"

"Yes, Ben. I will be fine." Obi-Wan reached out and placed a hand on his apprentice's shoulder. "May the Force be with you, Padawan."

And that was it. Ben entered the ship. With one last glance, he lifted into Coruscant's always busy airways. The galaxy had never seemed as large to Obi-Wan as his apprentice disappeared and became but a speck in its expanse. He felt his chest constrict.

"It isn't fitting for a Jedi master to linger in the hangar."

Obi-Wan smiled, turning at the voice. "Don't you have something more important to be doing? Like, preparing for your mission?"

"That's all done," Garen said. "My instructions are now to keep you so busy, so you have no time to think."

"Do I even need to ask who those instructions came from?" Obi-Wan mused.

"Probably not." Garen smiled broadly, showing off gleaming white teeth. "But, Force help us when Anakin goes on his first solo mission."

"We'll have to sedate Xan, or he will go gray before our eyes."

"Come on." Garen waved him in the direction of the door. "I reserved a training salle. Let's see if I can wipe the floor with you."

Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow as he followed after him. "Garen, the last time you wiped the floor with me was … well, I actually don't remember a time."

Obi-Wan stopped, casting one last look into the Coruscant sky.

"Are you coming?"

He tore his gaze away and pushed through the doorway. "Yes, Garen."