Obi-Wan Kenobi was the galaxy's most insufferable man.

That is the only conclusion one could possibly reach, mused Satine as her advisors rambled on before her. Because only such an insufferable man could have the audacity to ask why she had been so very cold in the aftermath of his charade. Satine could understand many things, things about war and things about duty. She could understand well why he had acted as he did. She did not begrudge him his lie.

But not even a note? Not even when the dust had cleared, and the Chancellor had been saved did he think to send her a message, any message to assure her that he was alive and whole?

Insufferable, thought Satine fiddling aimlessly with her datapad. Stupid man, with his stupid beard and pretty eyes…

But it was so wonderful to see him again. Relief had poured over her like medicine for a cold, like a cool drink for the midday heat. There was no small part of her that relished having him in her palace, distant but assured that he was safe and in her care. But perhaps her coldness was uncalled for. Detachment was proper between two individuals performing their duty, between a Duchess and her Jedi. Yet her reactions were something more profound than that, born from an anger that was born from an attachment rooted deeply within her.

I do still love him, thought Satine wistfully. My recent reactions have only proven that further. But his behavior, his lack of behavior, only makes me wonder if he still loves me?

For both of our sakes, I shall have to let him go.

"—no further leads on where the food is going to. But four more sectors have reported a lack of food as more of these shipments disappear. The people are starving, and they are starting to blame you, Duchess."

Satine sighed as she focused her attention on the conversation once more. "As I asked before when the first sectors reported food shortages, what leads do we have? Because I certainly have no motivation for withholding resources from our citizens."

Advisor Bizent, shook his head. "We have not discovered anything yet. But rumors are spreading…"

Satine narrowed her eyes. "What rumors?"

"Well—nonsense, really—but the people are saying that your neutral views are angering our trade partners. They say the shipments aren't disappearing—they just don't exist."

"Ridiculous!" said Satine angrily. "I have taken every precaution to maintain our commercial ties and have replaced the precious few we've lost as a result of Mandalore's neutrality."

"We know that, Duchess," said Bizent, holding his hands up, "But the people are rumbling. They say we must join a side in the war. Anything to bring back the food."

"It's not the war that's done this to us," said Satine sitting back, frowning. "Something else is at work here. Continue the investigations and begin to draw plans for rationing. We'll certainly have to dig into our stores now."

"Of course, Duchess. But perhaps-"

"Perhaps, what?" asked Satine, fists clenching.

"Perhaps it may be time to revisit conversations regarding Mandalore's neutrality—"

"No," snapped Satine. "I have fought long and hard to keep Mandalore from this wretched war and I do not intend to end our neutrality anytime soon."

"But Duchess—"

"No buts," said Satine firmly. "Meeting adjourned."

Satine sat fuming as her advisors shuffled out, grumbling. If things didn't change soon, she may find herself without allies in the public or even in her own government. If only I could ask Obi-Wan, she thought. He was intelligent, caring, sympathetic to her cause. But I couldn't. It's all far too…complicated now.

She supposed Knight Skywalker might have an interesting point of view as a Jedi. Senator Amidala had frequently recommended him as a Jedi of unique and strategic insight. But Satine didn't know Knight Skywalker well, and would hate to bother him as he recovered.

Wait. Senator Amidala. Padme might be of some help. Padme had always proven herself a loyal and clever woman. She was a seasoned politician, and would likely bring a fresh, unbiased perspective to Mandalore's crisis. Most importantly, Satine trusted her with her life, with her planet perhaps. And if they were speaking anyway… perhaps Padme could even help her with another matter.

Satine punched in the numbers quickly, fingers tapping impatiently as she waited for the other line to pick up.

"This is Senator Amidala."

"Padme, it's Satine. I know you must be terribly busy, but I was wondering—would you have time to make a quick visit to Mandalore?"

"I'm just saying, Master, I don't think you're thinking big enough."

Anakin frowned, offended. "Excuse me, Ahsoka, I am the biggest thinker around."

"Now, Anakin, don't confuse big thinker with big head," said Obi-Wan watching the conversation with amusement as Ahsoka snorted, hiding her laughter behind a hand.

"No one asked you, Obi-Wan," snapped Anakin, though a smile was tugging at his lips as well. It felt good, their bantering. Like the family was back together again. He was especially happy to see Ahsoka laughing and teasing. He dreaded to think what this last week had done to her and he was mortified that he'd put his padawan through something so terrible. Anakin couldn't wait to make it up to her.

"Anyway," Anakin continued. "What's wrong with my idea? An electric zapper would be an awesome upgrade to the new hand. It could be a good back up if I-uh- misplace my lightsaber. Plus, I can install a lower setting and just zap Obi-Wan with my finger if he's annoying me."

"Yeah," said Ahsoka rolling her eyes, "but think of all the other awesome weapons you could put in it. Like a flame thrower, or a laser cannon—"

"Or a slingshot—"

"Really, Master? A slingshot?"

"Hey, I had a slingshot when I was kid," said Anakin indignantly. "You can do a ton of damage with those things."

"I can certainly attest to that," muttered Obi-Wan. "As can Master Jocasta Nu."

"Small accidents," shrugged Anakin. "Casualties of innovation."

"Well, we could do other things to the new arm that aren't weapons," said Ahsoka eagerly. "You know how on those cartoons they shoot oil spills to trip up the bad guys chasing them?"

"Really, Snips? I think I'm a little cooler than some cartoon."

"Hmm. Debatable," grinned Ahsoka.

"Regardless," interrupted Obi-Wan. "I think we'd all be prudent to remember that Anakin's new arm is a gift from the Duchess. I highly doubt it would be a good idea to implore her doctors to make such, well, questionable, upgrades."

"When's the surgery again?" asked Anakin. "Day after tomorrow? That's plenty of time to make our requests."

"Definitely," said Ahsoka, laughing.

"Quite," said Obi-Wan lifting his eyebrows. "Speaking of which," he said frowning at the door, "I believe the doctors were supposed to come and make the final measurements for your fitting two hours ago. I'll just go and see if there's any problem." He turned to Ahsoka. "Can I trust you to keep him out of trouble for just a moment?"

"That's a tall order, Master Obi-Wan," said Ahsoka smiling.

"I know I ask the impossible, but I appreciate the effort anyway," said Obi-Wan winking at Ahsoka before he left.

"I don't know what he's talking about," said Anakin shaking his head as Obi-Wan walked out the door. "I'm always well-behaved."

"Yeah, and I'm a Twilek, "scoffed Ahsoka. "I've seen you do some damage, even in a medbay."

"It's a gift," said Anakin smiling broadly.

"Uh huh," said Ahsoka. She scooted her chair closer to Anakin's bed. "But seriously, Master. How are you feeling."

"I'm fine," said Anakin, a little too quickly for Ahsoka's taste. "I swear."

"Master," said Ahsoka softly hugging herself. "Please. I know we both do this all the time on battlefield. Pretend it's fine when it's not. But we know it's really not. Everything's that happened the past few months—it's just been. Hard. And I—" she sighed. "I just want us to be honest with each other. About the big things, sure. Like fake deaths and all that. But in the little things too. So," she said looking at him straight in the eye. "How are you actually feeling?"

Anakin leaned back into his pillows, looking at Ahsoka. When did his little scrappy Padawan become so wise? When did she start sounding so tired? "Ahsoka," he said softly, tempted to just hide all his pains from Ahsoka to spare her any more hurt. But he understood with sudden clarity that it would only hurt her more. I shouldn't make the same mistakes with her. Especially if I'm still yelling at Obi-Wan over his. "Honestly—I'm tired. I'm more exhausted than I've been in a long time. And there's still some pain left over, from the electrocution mostly. And I'm still pretty sore," he said looking over at Ahsoka. "No dashing heroics from me for a while."

"For two weeks, to be exact," said Ahsoka looking pointedly at him. "That's what Doctor Brobuu said."

"Yeah, yeah two weeks," mumbled Anakin as Ahsoka gave him a smug grin. "But no more."

"Yes, more. If you need it," said Ahsoka frowning at him. She looked down at her feet rocking silently for a moment before speaking again. "I was scared, Master," she said quietly. "I was so scared I was going to lose you too." She looked up at Anakin and Anakin was startled to see tears brimming in her eyes. "I know it makes me a bad Jedi," she said, voice cracking, "But I don't know what I'd do without you. Or Master Obi-Wan."

"Oh, Ahsoka," said Anakin softly, extending his arm to her as she crawled onto the bed and nestled herself against his chest. She gripped his tunic as her shoulders shook, and Anakin rubbed circles in her back as soothingly as he could. "That doesn't make you a bad Jedi," he said gently. "Caring about other people, needing other people. It's not a weakness. It's not evil. It's a strength.

"You know that I grew up—not in the Temple. I had a mom," he said avoiding Ahsoka's stare as she looked up at him questioningly. "And we had it tough. But no matter how bad things got, we had each other. My mom always taught me that no matter how much bad is in the world, caring about others, loving others even, is what keeps the good in place. We're stronger together. And-and I've honestly never been able to fit the code with that. Sure, obsessing over people, using love the wrong way—that leads us to the dark side. But it can lead us into the light too." Anakin laughed lightly. "I think Obi-Wan and I have learned that lesson recently."

Ahsoka sniffed, laying quietly for a minute listening to Anakin's steady breathing. "You really think we can be attached and be good Jedi? Good keepers of the peace?"

"I think so," said Anakin. "I really do." I should tell her, he realized. She deserves to know. She's part of the family too.

"Hmm," said Ahsoka thoughtfully.

"In fact," said Anakin taking a deep breath. Here we go. "I, um. Have definitely broken the rules. On attachment."

"Yeah, no kidding," laughed Ahsoka. "I know you're attached to me. To Obi-Wan."

"But, um, like a lot."

Ahsoka sat up again. "What do you mean?"

"I- um. Well. I'm married. To-to Padme."

Ahsoka looked at him. She blinked. She blinked again. And then a wide smile split her face as she started to laugh.

"What are you laughing about?" said Anakin, bewildered. "This is serious!"

"No, no I'm not laughing at you," said Ahsoka grinning. "It's just—well it just makes so much sense."

"What do you mean?" said Anakin frowning. "We kept it secret. Professional."

"Uh huh," said Ahsoka, rolling her eyes. "Then why do the clones have a bet going around as to the status of your relationship with Senator Amidala?"

Anakin stared at her blankly. "I'm going to kill Rex," he grumbled darkly.

"I guess he won," said Ahsoka, thoughtfully. "He was definitely in the marriage pool."

Anakin groaned and flopped back on his pillows, thinking of the long lecture he'd have with the 501st when he got back on his feet. "Wait a second," he said looking suspiciously over at Ahsoka. "Are- are you okay with this?"

Ahsoka looked at the floor silently for a few moments before answering. "I think I am," she said almost sounding surprised. "I mean I tried not think about it a lot, but you two always seemed really close. You both felt happier when you got assigned together," she said picking a blanket thread. "It felt good. Maybe it's not such a bad thing." She looked at Anakin. "Maybe before the war I would've been pretty scandalized. But after everything we've seen, everything we've been through together. Everything's the Council's done, the Jedi have done. I don't know. Maybe we don't know as much as we thought we did."

"Yeah," said Anakin quietly. "Maybe we don't."

"Besides," said Ahsoka, looking hopefully at Anakin. "If you and Senator Amidala ever have kids, can I babysit? Ohh, can I be godmother?"

"Padme and I are in a secret marriage, just when do you think we'll have kids?"

"I'm just saying—"

Obi-Wan was a dignified Jedi master and as such did not groan when he got unwanted comm calls. He may, however, feel a slight twinge of annoyance when he saw who was calling.

"Kenobi here."

"Obi-Wan it's Mace. How is Skywalker doing?"

"Fine," said Obi-Wan. "He seems to be recovering well. The doctors estimate he should be mostly better in a couple of weeks."

"Well see if you can get him back to the Temple before then. We want you back here as soon as possible."

"Whatever for?" asked Obi-Wan before he could think the better of it.

"For starters," said Mace glaring at him. "It would be nice of you to return that ship you stole—"

"That I borrowed," corrected Obi-Wan lightly.

"And secondly, our Jedi team has succeeding in picking up Maul and Savage. They are transporting them back to the Temple to be treated and imprisoned. As soon as he's able, we'd like to interrogate Maul. We believe he may be able to offer us some intel on our missing Sith Lord."

"And what will make Maul cooperate with us?" asked Obi-Wan frowning.

"I don't know," sighed Mace. "But the sooner you get yourself back here, the sooner you can help us figure it out."

"Indeed," said Obi-Wan quietly. "Very well. I will keep you updated."

"Thank you ever so much," said Mace curtly before hanging up.

Obi-Wan put the comm away, deep in thought as he made his way back to Anakin's room. Interesting times were becoming ever more interesting. Things were coming, the Force whispered to him. Many things. But whether such things were good or bad Obi-Wan had no way of knowing.