"Still looking?"

A hint of amusement colored Mace Windu's normally stoic voice, though Obi-Wan was too flustered to take much notice of it.

"Master Windu!" He wasn't sure whether to be startled or relieved by the councilman's presence. "No, no, of course not. He attended his classes this morning, so I know exactly where he is. I have everything under control."

Sending him a look Obi-Wan wasn't sure he like, Mace shook his head. "Lying never suited you, Obi-Wan."

"Does it ever really suit anyone?" Obi-Wan replied, deflating.

"Now that all depends," Mace said, a gentle smile warming his face, "I've met a handful exceptionally skilled liars during my travels, but not one held the title of Jedi Knight. Now, how long has it been since you last saw him?"

There was no fooling the Jedi Master any longer, so Obi-Wan decided to go for the truth this time.

I never should've lied in the first place. What would Qui-Gon have said?

Qui-Gon…

No, stop it, stop it! Before you make a fool of yourself again.

Pushing all painful thoughts from his head and into the Force, Obi-Wan answered, "About an hour ago."

Mace gave him a knowing look. "He wasn't in class when you went to pick him up, was he?"

Obi-Wan could only manage a small shake of his head.

"Have you checked all the usual places?" Mace started walking, a clear invitation for Obi-Wan to join him for a stroll through the halls.

"Twice."

"Well," Mace said decisively, "maybe you're in need of a fresh set of eyes."

Obi-Wan could've melted right then and there, his relief was so strong. He was grateful for the stoic Jedi Master's help whenever he could get it—which was becoming more and more frequent as the year dragged on.

Growing up as crèche mates, then as initiates together had forged a strong friendship between Mace Windu and Obi-Wan's late master. After the death of Qui-Gon, Mace had covertly taken Obi-Wan under his wing as the young Jedi grieved and began his new life as a Knight and Master.

At first, Obi-Wan had melted into Mace's presence, appreciating everything the older Jedi did for him and Anakin as they adjusted to each other. Everything was fine.

Then the talk began. Whispers arose throughout the temple and Obi-Wan had no doubt they were about him.

"That boy shouldn't be allowed to train the Chosen One."

"Someone as rare as young Skywalker deserves a more experienced Jedi for a Master."

"Mark my words, when Kenobi finally proves he can't do it, I'll be the one who'll take charge of training the Prophecy."

"Give the kid a chance!"

"Who are you to think you know who shall best train the Chosen One?"

"I thought the Chosen One was a myth."

Obi-Wan shut his eyes against the flood of memories as if barricading his mind would somehow change the past.

Or erase it.

Nowadays, after taking more than a few of these carelessly spoken whispers to heart, Obi-Wan was eager to prove to everyone that he had what it took to train the Chosen One, and that meant not leaning so heavily into Mace's help.

He could do this. He had to do this.

And he had to do it on his own. He was Anakin's master, not Mace. He had promised Qui-Gon, not—

Qui-Gon…

No! Stop it, just stop!

"Do you think he does it on purpose?"

The words were out before Obi-Wan could stop them, but he just had to say something. And anything was better than thinking these days.

"Anakin?" Mace crosses his arms thoughtfully. "That would depend on who you ask."

"I'm asking you."

If it had been any other Master, his statement might have been received as impertinent. But this was Master Windu, the closest thing to Qui-Gon Obi-Wan had left.

"Personally?" Mace raises an eyebrow. "No. I don't think he does it on purpose. At least, not yet." He smiled down at Obi-Wan. "He's too young, too naive still."

Obi-Wan nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, you're probably right. Still…"

"Still?" Mace prompted when the young Knight didn't continue.

"Still, sometimes it feels like he's doing everything in his power to make this apprenticeship as difficult as possible."

Obi-Wan felt Mace's hand on his shoulder, but it failed to warm his spirits like it did his skin.

"Give it time. Many Masters wonder the same thing when they first take on an apprentice."

"Was that how it was with you and Master Billaba?"

"Depa is a female," Mace answered with a wry grin. "Anakin's a boy, and little boys have notorious reputations for being ten times more difficult to parent than little girls. So, no, Depa never gave me a run for my credits, but we did have our own sorts of challenges to work through and overcome."

Obi-Wan merely nodded and they continued on in silence for several paces.

"Do you know Taria Damsin?"

He wasn't sure if it was the abruptness of the question or the topic that startled Mace, but he felt the master stiffen slightly beside him all the same.

"Yes, I know her," came his short reply. "Why do you ask?"

"No specific reason, I suppose, just...is she going to be okay?"

Slowly, Mace let his gaze fall upon Obi-Wan; it took the younger a moment to realize the councilman had stopped walking.

"How much do you know about Taria Damsin?"

Taria could feel her energy draining.

It's only been a half hour! Come on, body, you can do better than this. You are better than this.

At least, you used to be.

She hadn't even been running-like Kenobi had been when he knocked her out-and a leisurely walk through the halls was still draining her energy faster than a speeding city bike.

When she found Kenobi, then she could sit down, but not before. And she'd drag him onto the ground with her, see how he liked being shoved to the floor.

If she found him. For the first time in her life, the Jedi Temple seemed an impossible maze of halls and corridors that she didn't have the energy to navigate anymore.

Her fingers twitched as she walked, craving activity, movement, something to do. She worked them through her blue-green hair, letting them create a sturdy braid that kept any and all loose strands from flopping in front of her eyes.

How did it come to this? Taria braced herself against the nearest wall as a wave of nausea washed over her. What am I even doing? This is stupid, I'm sure Kenobi isn't even in the temple anymore. He's probably off-world on some new mission for the council… or something…

Sucking in a breath, Taria turned back, quitting her quest to find the Jedi who'd put her in the healer's ward in favor of returning to her quarters for a nap.

I need to get off my feet—

SMACK!

For the second time that day, Taria found herself kissing the shiny tiled floor of the temple halls. Little black spots slugged across eyes, blurring her vision.

What the…

"Hey, hey! Are you okay?"

Don't black out, you weakling! Stay awake!

"Wha—Who—?" The sound of her own voice echoed faintly in her ears, as if she wasn't fully present anymore.

"No, don't get up!" A small voice instructed, and Taria felt a hand on her shoulder as she made a vain attempt to stand. "Not yet, just lie back and rest a minute."

"Who—." A cough tore at her throat. "What happened…?"

"I guess that's why my master told me not to run in the halls, huh?"

The more Taria blinked, the quicker her vision sharpened, and soon, the frame of a little boy came into view. His blond hair was trimmed to match the traditional Padawan style, accompanied by a thin braid, which barely brushed his right shoulder.

"Wow," he breathed, his bright blue eyes growing wide. "You look like an angel, too. How many of you are there?"

"An...angel?" Taria rasped. "What kind of angel?"

"You know, the ones deep space pilots talk about when they think no one's listening," he said with a shrug.

"I still don't follow."

"They're the most beautiful creatures on earth, so you must be one. Can an angel be a Jedi?"

"I...I don't know." Who is this kid? Who is he to say such things?

It had been a long time since Taria truly felt beautiful, and the words of a mere boy shouldn't change that fact.

But still...

"Sorry I knocked you down. Are you okay?"

Taria grunted as she heaved herself upright against the wall, since the boy still wouldn't let her stand. "Who is these days?"

"I'm not." He said this proudly, as if the fact should earn him a medal or some sort.

She couldn't help the laugh that bubbled up inside her. "You're not? And why not? What's a little Padawan like you have to worry about?"

"I'm not little! I'm ten! And if I don't get back to my room before my master does, I'll have plenty to worry about. So if you're okay, then I'd best get going."

"Wait, wait a minute!" She latched onto his arm. "What if I'm not okay? You can't just leave me here."

"But you said you'd be alright." He moved to stand, but Taria kept her grip firm. "Besides, you're okay. I can sense it."

"Funny, I can't sense you."

Here, the boy leaned in close, almost too close for comfort.

Comfort is a thing of the past, anyway.

"That's 'cause I'm hiding."

"How...How do you know how to do that already?"

There's a reason initiates don't learn how to cloak their Force-presence!

"I dunno." He shrugged again.

"Well, come out of it, will you? You're creeping me out! I can see you, but I can't feel you and it's… it's weird, that's what it is. Now, cut it out!"

"I told you! I have to get back to my room before my master does! I can't do that unless I'm hidden."

"And what will that accomplish?"

"Then I can pretend I've been there all along, and that he's been looking 'round the temple for nothing."

Taria pursed her lips, not yet sure what to make of this boy. "Don't you think that will make your master look pretty foolish?"

The boy hung his head a little. "Sure, but anything's better than getting caught, right?"

"I'm...I'm not sure. But I do know one thing: you're going to help me up before you go."

With a small sigh, he stood up and offered her his hand. Using both the boy and the wall for support, Taria worked her way off the ground with very little struggle.

"Thank you. Now, this is the second time today I've been plowed over in the halls, so take your master's advice and don't run in the halls. Okay?"

"Okay!" The boy exclaimed before he took off running.

"Hey! Hey, what did I just say! Oh—!"

It took her several moments to realize her own legs had taken off after the child, and not at a leisurely pace, by any means, but at a fast, freeing sprint.

"Come back here!"

But the boy didn't even look back, he only quickened his pace, using the Force to give himself a boost.

Well, Taria thought with a smirk, two can play at that game.

Drawing upon the Force surrounding her, she felt her legs move faster, faster. If she had it in her, she would have let out a cry of joy. She couldn't remember the last time her legs had moved so fast.

Why, it must've been two missions ago, at least!

Two missions…

A warning wailed through the Force and Taria managed to stop herself just in time to avoid another collision.

"Master! Master!" The boy had stopped too and was now clinging desperately to a red-headed Knight, who looked to be about her age, or slightly older. "A crazy lady is chasing me!" He glanced back, finally, and pointed his tiny finger directly at her face. "There she is! Keep her away from me!"

"Anakin! Anakin!" The Knight calmed, his accented voice doing nothing to soothe the young boy. "Calm down! What crazy lady? Where—."

When he glanced up into her eyes, wild and glassy from running, his own grew instantly wider.

"See? There's the cra—"

The knight clapped his hand over the boy's chattering mouth, his skin growing slightly pale.

"I apologize for my Padawan," the Knight began. "He does mean half the things he says."

"But look at her!" The boy exclaimed, having struggled free of his Master's grip. "She's crazy! She chased me all around the temple!"

"Only after you crashed into me!" Taria defended, trying to catch her breath before she passed out. "Honestly, teach your Padawan to be more courteous of others when he's walking the halls alone."

The Knight opened his mouth to reply, and that's when Taria's growing rage was all hit sniffed out by the sudden voice of Master Windu.

"What's going on here, Obi-Wan?"

Obi-Wan...Kenobi? He's Kenobi? I should've known the minute his Padawan bashed into me. Like Master, like Padawan.

"Master Windu," Taria greeted with a short bow.

"Knight Damsin," the Master returned. "How are you today?"

Must we have this talk? Really?

"As well as I can be," she replied, her tone coming off as more clipped than she would've liked. "And you?"

He smiled at her warmly. "Fine now that you've found the missing Padawan."

"I wasn't missing," the boy said, indignation painted across his features. "I knew exactly where I was."

He spoke as if Kenobi was the only one who could hear him, the only one present who mattered, and Taria didn't miss the way Kenobi's lips twinged, as if he wanted so desperately to laugh at the little boy.

Instead, he covered the twitch of amusement with a sigh, his face tightening up in disapproval.

"Yes, but I didn't know where you were," he began. "Anakin, we've talked about this. You can't simply run off whenever you feel like it without telling me!"

A thoughtful look crossed the boy's face for a moment. "So, if I tell you first, then I can—"

"Absolutely not," Kenobi cut in, almost as if he already knew what the boy—what Anakin—was going to say. Almost as if Kenobi was no stranger to this particular conversation.

"Thank you for your assistance, Knight Damsin," Master Windu said, before turning to Obi-Wan and Anakin. "I hope you realize what you put your Master through, Padawan Skywalker." He didn't look as if he did, but Taria refrained from commenting on it. "I don't want to hear of you running through the halls without Master Kenobi's permission again, do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, Master Windu." The boy hung his head, probably just for show, Taria mused. "I won't do it again."

"See that you don't." Then, Master Windu placed a hand on Obi-Wan's shoulder-was that supposed to be a comforting gesture?-before nodding at him and Taria as he departed down the hall.

Silence ensued, neither of the Knights knowing what to say or do. Obi-Wan appeared too exasperated at his Padawan to begin any sort of conversation, and Taria herself was too distracted.

Too distracted by Obi-Wan and the sheer emotion that radiated off of him in waves. And for some reason, it was hurting her. She could feel his pain almost as if it were her own.

Master Che always did say I feel too strongly. Whether that's a result of my training or my genetics…

"I'm sorry, Master Damsin."

Anakin's reluctant voice penetrated her thoughts, pulling her back to painful reality.

"For…?" Kenobi prompted, gazing down at his wayward Padawan with no small amount of annoyance—and was that exhaustion as well?

"For what?" Anakin looked back up at his Master.

"Don't merely say you're sorry. Tell her what you're sorry for."

"Oh. Right. Um, I'm sorry for bumping into you in the halls earlier."

"You already apologized for that," was all Taria could think to say.

"Oh." His gaze flicked back to Kenobi and he lowered his voice to a whisper. "Then what am I sorry for?"

With a sigh, Kenobi wipes a hand down his face. "For calling her names!"

"Oh! I'm sorry for calling you a crazy lady."

"And…?"

"Please forgive me?"

Taria had to smile. The entire exchange was rather cute and for a brief moment, she mourned the Padawan she would never have.

"Of course, young one, there is nothing to forgive." Then, her eyes targeted Kenobi. "It's your Master who owes me an apology."

Kenobi was taken aback. "Me?"

"Yes, you. For knocking me unconscious this morning!"

"Whoa! You bashed into her too?" Anakin exclaimed. "But you knocked her out? Wow."

"It was an accident," Kenobi defended. "I didn't mean to—."

"Run in the halls?"

Anakin's eyes were bulging now. "Master?"

"To knock you over. I didn't know any other Jedi were out and about so early. I'm so sorry."

"And…?" Anakin prompted cheekily.

"And," Kenobi locked his fierce blue eyes on hers, "and will you please forgive me? I truly didn't mean to cause you so much harm. I didn't know—."

"It's fine," Taria interjected, all her well thought out plans from earlier regarding Kenobi draining a quickly as her energy. "I accept your apology. It wasn't your fault, really. I was already on my way out."

Kenobi nodded, suddenly solemn. "Master Windu told me you're...you're very sick. I'm sorry, if I'd only known, I would've—"

Her expression darkened, but only for a moment. "Well, that's one way to put it. Don't apologize, that part isn't your fault."

"Is there anything I can do?"

"Forget about it?" It was a simple request, but Taria could tell in an instant it wasn't the kind Kenobi wanted to hear.

"If you insist."

Taria forced a smile. "I do."

The group soon fell prey to probably the most awkward silence Taria was ever forced to endure.

What do I do now? I didn't plan this far ahead.

Honestly, she thought she would've tackled Kenobi to the ground by that point, chewing him out for being so careless all the way.

"Why were you running in the first place? And so early in the morning, too."

In response, Kenobi pointed to Anakin, who appeared oblivious to them both.

"I was searching for him." Taria could only nod. "Actually, I had better be getting him to his next class. It was nice to have officially met you."

"I don't think we truly have yet." Taria offered her hand. "I'm Taria."

Kenobi hesitated a brief second before taking her hand in his. "Obi-Wan."

"And I'm Anakin!"

"Yes, I think she knows that by now," Obi-Wan remarked and Taria just couldn't hold back her giggle.

Anakin shrugged. "Just wanted to make sure."

"It's nice to officially meet you too, Anakin."

As the two walked off down the hall, Anakin turned and gave Taria a little wave. He turned away before she could wave back, and when the duo had disappeared from sight, Taria felt strangely empty. More empty than she had felt that morning, if such a thing was even possible.

And the worst part was that she didn't know why.

"What were you doing this time?"

"Do I have to answer?"

"Yes."

"Oh."

"And no," Obi-Wan said before Anakin could even open his mouth, "this isn't another trick question."

"Oh." Anakin sighed. The day was fading and Master and Padawan had finally returned to their quarters for a calm evening in.

Obi-Wan has just put on a pot of tea and Anakin sat dejectedly on one of the two chairs at the small kitchen table.

"Well?" Obi-Wan prompted when his young apprentice remained silent.

"I was just—" The last half came out for mumbled, Obi-Wan couldn't decipher it.

"Come again?"

"I was just, you know."

Obi-Wan steeled himself, doing everything in his power to remain calm. The last thing he wanted to do was lose his temper again with Anakin. "No, I don't, that's why we're having this conversation."

"Well…"

"Anakin." Having a sharp tone was not losing one's temper. It was just…moving things along.

"Okay, okay! I was just working on something!"

"Anakin, no need to shout, please."

"Sorry," Anakin mumbled. "Are you gonna make me tell you what I was working on?"

"Do I even want to know?"

The boy shrugged. "I don't know."

Obi-Wan pinched the bridge of his nose. "Just tell me you weren't 'fixing' another one of the temple shuttles."

"I was just building one itty, bitty droid."

"How itty, bitty?"

"I dunno. Small enough to fit under my bed."

With a sigh, Obi-Wan turned to attend his teapot, which had just begun to wait at him.

"Are you...are you gonna make me get rid of it?"

Anakin's voice was no longer raised or evasive, rather, it had taken on a small, meek tone.

And it dug into Obi-Wan's heart.

"Is it a useful droid?" He asked finally, clutching his mug as the tea steeped.

Watching Anakin's eyes grow brighter reminded Obi-Wan of a blue lightsaber igniting.

"Oh yes! It is!"

"What will it do?" Obi-Wan prompted when Anakin didn't explain.

"It'll vacuum the floor for us!"

It took all Obi-Wan's self-control not to snort. "You mean so you don't have to?"

"And you," Anakin mumbled.

"Alright, I suppose that's useful enough. But must you sneak out at all hours to work on it?"

"Thank you, Master!" he exclaimed, clasping his hands together joyfully.

Ah yes, there's that awful habit of only hearing what he likes, Obi-Wan thought when Anakin seemed to pay no mind to the last part of his sentence.

"Now, don't you have some homework waiting for you in your room?"

"Oh, right." Anakin took off toward his room but stopped halfway to the door. Turning back to Obi-Wan, he gushed, "You're the best, Master."

Then he was gone.

The best master?

Well, I'm certain that's not true. Obi-Wan took a sip of his tea, allowing the streaming liquid to burn his throat on its journey down. Still, it's better than the alternative.

Anakin's words of just last week echoed through his mind, piercing his soul all over again.

"You're the worst Master ever!"

He took a gulp of his tea, which had barely cooled since his last sip. Squeezing his eyes shut, he leaned back against the counter.

He didn't mean it. Even if it is true, he couldn't have meant it.

So you're the only one who's allowed to say such things? The more cynical voice in his head said. Only you can criticize yourself? You know everyone else will do it—are doing it—so why not just let them?

Stop it!

He was really getting sick of that inner voice, it never had anything good to say.

But no matter what he tried, he just couldn't seem to make it go away.

Oh, Master Qui-Gon… He closed his eyes, letting himself sink to the floor for a moment while Anakin was busy in the other room. I wish you were here.