Chapter 1: Anakin's Secret

"Another happy landing," Obi-Wan exclaimed as the ship stopped with a sudden lurch and everything became quiet. All that could be heard was their gasps for air, the occasional whirring and beeping that was being emitted from Artoo's dome, and the sound of the emergency fighters that zoomed across the ships cockpit as they attempted to keep the fire from spreading.

"A happy landing?" Chancellor Palpatine asked doubtfully. Then, upon seeing Anakin's gloved hand and the scar that had narrowly missed the young man's eye, he sighed wearily. "Yes… perhaps in your experience this might indeed be considered a happy landing," he said to Obi-Wan.

Anakin, as he unbuckled himself, considered his former Master's use of words. He shakily stood up and marveled at the fact that they were all alive. Though he would never admit it to Obi-Wan, there had been a few moments where he had even doubted himself. Yes, he was indeed relieved, but by then, more overwhelming feelings had washed over him- nervousness and expectation.

For the first time in many months, he was to see his wife. Somewhere on this capital- in her apartment or perhaps in her office in the Senate- Padmé waited for him. From the shaking within his real hand, Anakin could only too well imagine how she must be feeling right now.

Reality forced himself out of his musings, and Anakin hadn't gone three steps down the ramp before he saw them.

Politicians.

While the Chancellor rushed forward to assure the gathered Senators that he was quite safe and sound, Anakin exchanged bemused looks with Obi-Wan and quirked his eyebrows upon seeing the impish grin on the older man's face.

"It looks like it's your luck day," Obi-Wan said, not missing the crestfallen look on Anakin's face. "Not only did you blast your way through the Separatists' best fleet, killed Count Dooku, and saved the Chancellor, but you also get to spend your first day back on Coruscant having the best time of your life with politicians."

"If I hadn't saved your life so many times, I would have sworn you had planned this," Anakin grumbled. "Bail Organa isn't too bad," he said a little more optimistically. At this, Obi-Wan scoffed and the younger man sent him a dirty look. "But Master…"

"Obi-Wan," he reminded him gently.

"Yes…" Anakin frowned for a moment, "Obi-Wan. It seems that it is your lucky day, because someone has to visit with them and it won't be me."

"How do you figure?" he asked cautiously. It was quite evident that Obi-Wan did not like where this was going.

"I have things I need to do," Anakin said blandly, fidgeting with his glove. "You are going to have the privilege of spending time with all of our favorite Senators."

"I'm not the poster boy!" Obi-Wan protested, holding his hands up in mock surrender. Both stood in the concealment of the hatchway, for neither was going to move until one of the other was manipulated into wasting the rest of their day. Personally, Anakin hoped that it would be his former Master…

"Well… um, if you were to perhaps shave that beard of yours…" Anakin suggested as he adopted an innocent face.

"Someday," Obi-Wan said dryly, "you won't come home from the wars looking so… handsome. What will your fan club ever do if you return covered in scars?"

"Master… Obi-Wan!" Anakin cried out, sounding much like the little boy who had been forced to grow up too quickly.

By then, Anakin was becoming increasingly impatient and he began to drum his metal fingers on the ship's interior. He had places to go, people he needed to see…

"Why do I get the feeling that, if Senator Amidala was present, you would be much more willing to go?"

Within his robe, Anakin's fist clenched but his face remained emotionless at the mentioning of his beloved's name. "I have to go," Anakin begged, not caring how immature and whiny it must sound. His gaze stayed on the waiting speeder.

"Give the Senator my best regards," Obi-Wan said dolefully in defeat.

At the bottom of the ramp, Anakin started and quickly repressed the emotions that
litted across his handsome face. If any of the Senators gathered had been watching him at that moment, they would have seen the mix of fear and apprehension that washed over him.

Years of hiding and secrecy had taught Anakin control, though Obi-Wan would instantly have denied it, and he once more buried his feelings. Only once he was sure that his cheeks had lost their pink tint did he turn around to find Obi-Wan still standing at the hatch, his upper torso leaning against the ship's frame.

"You were mistaken, Obi-Wan, if you believed I intended to visit Senator Amidala," Anakin said coolly. "I was actually going to the Temple."

This comment obviously caught Obi-Wan off guard and Anakin watched his friend look at him in surprise. "Well… enjoy yourself," Obi-Wan said gloomily as he snuck a peek down at the welcoming party. "May the Force be with you, my young friend."

"May it be with you too," Anakin said over his shoulder as he strode towards the waiting speeder. The waiting paparazzi, upon seeing their favorite Jedi hero, rushed forth but were soon met with disappointment as Anakin ignored them and flew off without so much as an acknowledgement.

Although he was indeed heading to the Temple, his motives there were less innocent than what Obi-Wan had thought.

There, another person who had been missing him these last months, waited for him.