Title: All Along

Summary: (My very first reader-suggested story! Thanks Casey525! And HAPPY BIRTHDAY!) Remember that conversation during Revenge of the Sith where Obi-Wan visits Padme and he shares that little revelation? In this story, it's Padme who invites Obi-Wan over and SHE is the one who has a secret to share with Obi-Wan. Lots of other things have changed as well. You'll see…

Author: Ticklesivory

Genre: Obidala drama/romance, etc.

Warnings: Nothing unusual. Just the typical Obidala stuff. If that's not your cup o'tea, then you may need to rethink why you're here!


Chapter One

My duties as a Jedi Master often include visiting the Senate Building to either gather information about a mission or perhaps learn of other things needing attention. It never seems to fail, that each time I pass through, I run into the Senator from Naboo, Padme Amidala.

As a Jedi, I trust the Force to guide me in all matters. I don't believe in coincidences. For some reason, the Force is putting her in my path and I need to find out why. I have the suspicion it must have something to do with my Padawan, Anakin Skywalker, although he's no longer my responsibility. He passed his trials and had become a Knight two years ago. Five years ago the two of them had secretly gotten married. Only through passing conversations I'd had with Padme, I was beginning to believe they were having some problems; problems I sincerely doubted were her fault. I knew them both. Senator Amidala was smart and knew what she was getting into when she agreed to marry him. A Jedi's duties often take them far away for long periods of time. She had to realize what to expect – long lonely nights stretching out for days or weeks at a time.

When I first learned of their marriage, I was upset because – well, for one, they hid it from me, and secondly, I wasn't even invited. I'd always believed we were good friends. I'd known her for a long time – fifteen years. But more than that, I respected her and thought she felt the same way about me.

Just yesterday, I saw her in the hallway after delivering a personal message to Senator Organa from Master Yoda, and right away, I was disturbed by her aura. She was upset, although she wouldn't say why. At first, she tried to pacify my concern by telling me she was simply stressed about work, but I knew it was more than that. Something had happened.

I didn't pry. It wasn't my place. If she wanted to tell me what was going on, then she would.

Several days passed and both of us had returned to our busy lives until late one night I returned from a sparring session to notice a blue light blinking on my comm. It was a message from Padme and she wanted me to come to dine with her the following evening. Anakin wouldn't be there she'd informed me, and once again, I could detect her loneliness as she explained quickly that she wasn't sure when he would return. She needed to speak with me because she had something important to say. Something concerning Anakin, she'd said.

I was intrigued. What had the boy done now?

To be able to fall asleep later that night, I'd been forced to meditate my concerns away through the Force. Only then was I able to find peace.

That only lasted until the morning, however, and the brand new day refreshed my worries. The hours couldn't pass by quickly enough to suit me and the cryptic lecture Master Yoda shared with me later that morning seemed much more droll and despairing than usual.

What was he so glum about? The Sith had been revealed and destroyed! A galactic war had been diverted and everyone involved had been arrested. As far as I could tell, the Force was content and life had returned to normal.

Except where Padme was concerned.

I had fought the urge to allow my imagination to run wild. I couldn't possibly guess what Anakin had done to upset her so much. Had he volunteered for a mission in the Outer Rim? Had he forgotten her naming day? Their anniversary? She was definitely upset and I decided to pick up some wine and perhaps some flowers to try and cheer her up. She had asked me to drop by at 1900 hours and that was still six hours from now.

Anxiously, I walked to the salles to find another Jedi to spar with; preferably a Master. That was the best way to pass the time. Four hours later, I was drenched with sweat, having bested two Masters and one Senior Padawan, and now required a shower.

I took my time, making sure I was cleaned and dressed properly, with a carefully trimmed beard and shiny boots. At twenty minutes before my expected arrival, I grabbed the bottle and bouquet and ordered a transport to the Senate District.

When she answered the door to her apartment, Padme appeared as grave as she had the day before, though brightened considerably as soon as she saw what I was presenting her with.

"Obi-Wan, how lovely! Thank you. I can't remember the last time someone brought me flowers."

"That's a shame," I told her cautiously. "They always seem to brighten up a space."

"I agree," she said. "I'm going to go find a vase and get some glasses. Take a seat. I'll be right back."

This wasn't the first time I'd been in her apartment. Five years ago, my Padawan and I had been assigned to protect her from members of the Separatist movement, a group of bullies who wanted to silence her vote on an upcoming election. Unknowingly, I had placed her on the path of romance by putting her in the company of my apprentice, and I was sad to say, she had been considerably unhappy ever since.

Hopefully, she was going to open up to me. Perhaps I could help her and give her some insight into the boy's moodiness. I'd met him when he was nine years old and probably knew him better than anyone.

Padme returned quickly carrying the vase, which she filled with the colorful flowers and set on the glass coffee table. She then carried over two tall glasses while I opened up the wine. It was a vintage label from Alderaan and had a rich and sweet flavor I enjoyed.

"This is exactly what I needed," she told me after taking a sip. "Good wine and good company."

"Where's Dorme?" I asked after noticing the absence of her handmaiden.

"Shopping," she told me. "I was invited but frankly I was too tired tonight."

It was time for honesty. "Padme," I said, placing my glass aside and taking hold of her hand. "There's something else the matter. Tell me what it is. Maybe I can help."

During all these years, I had seen this young woman stand bravely in the line of fire and fight back with determination and confidence. She had even come to my rescue once and risked her own life to do it. However, at this particular moment, it was as if she was falling apart piece by piece, and her hands flew to her face to muffle her sobs.

"Padme," I consoled by gently pulling down her hands. "Please. Tell me." For Force-sake! What had he done? Was I going to have to teach that boy another lesson?

"It all started after he was given the key to the city," she began to explain. "You know, right after he killed Darth Sidious."

She paused to catch her breath and dry her eyes on a napkin while I waited patiently. I had a good idea of what she was about to say. All throughout his senior padawan years, Anakin had become boastful and arrogant. He was very talented, yes, but others constantly reminding him of that had only worsened his faults.

And then he had outed his friend, the Chancellor, who revealed himself as a Sith Lord. Along with the news of how Anakin had saved the Galaxy from such an evil dictator, came a sort of celebrity status. The boy was constantly on the Holonet, being interviewed for news events and talk shows, had been presented several humanitarian awards, and even offered movie deals. At one point, he'd turned to me for advice, and I tried my best to convince him to turn those down. He was a Jedi, not a Holonet star. But before I knew it, he was appearing in advertisements. His face was all over the holoboards in Galactic City as well as other settlements across the Galaxy. He was now famous and everywhere he went, worshippers and fans flocked to his side.

I knew his newfound popularity was going to cause problems. I just hadn't realized how quickly.

"Obi-Wan," Padme told me softly. "He's cheating on me."