After the meeting, we went back to my quarters. Obi-Wan told me to sit down on my bed, that he had a story to tell me.

"Yes, Master," I said. As I complied, I almost kicked off my boots into the middle of the floor, thought twice about it, and put them at the end of my bed. Then I turned around and faced him, cross-legged. He had sat down in a chair and was getting comfortable. He looked up at me and began.

"When I was your age, maybe a little younger, I too fell in love. Now, before you laugh," he said as he saw that mischievous glimmer in my eye, "hear me out. Your old Master was attractive at one time."

I stifled a laugh and quickly apologized. "I'm sorry, Master. It's just -- "

"Don't worry about it. I was expecting that response from you. But you must not laugh, or I won't be able to tell this story, and I think it may help you."

"Yes, Master. No laughing." I put on the most seriously straight face I could muster.

"All right then. As I was saying . . . I, too, fell in love. Master Qui-Gon and I had an assignment on a distant planet -- my memory fails me as to which one. Anyway, we were to free a group of enslaved females. Mind you, this planet wasn't too distant as to be outside the Republic's jurisdiction. Of course, most of them were female Twi'leks, but there were a couple of human women. The instant my eyes met with Kaya's, I was entranced. I couldn't think of anything or anyone else. Does this sound familiar?"

I nodded. That was how I had felt when I first laid eyes on Padmé in Watto's junk shop so long ago.

"Well, that night, I sneaked out after Master Qui-Gon had fallen asleep, which was fairly early. I crept to the place we had taken the group for safe-keeping until we left the planet, climbed up to the third floor, where their rooms were, and peeked into windows until I found in which room Kaya was sleeping."

"Master!" I exclaimed, truly surprised.

"Hey, you do crazy things when you're in love. You, if anyone, should know that."

I nodded, and he continued.

"Well, I let myself into the room. Careful not to awaken the other three girls, I woke up Kaya and took her out into the hall and into an empty room.

"She was so beautiful, with the moonlight streaming through the window onto her wavy, red hair that reached well passed her shoulders. Her lean, tall body was still dressed in just the night gown she'd been given by the owners of the building. I gazed deep into her rich sapphire eyes. Neither of us spoke for several minutes. We just stared."

Obi-Wan's eyes were staring into nothing, entranced by the memory. I cleared my throat nonchalantly to bring him back to the story. He started and blushed slightly.

"Oh -- yes -- well . . . I had never been in love before and I didn't know what it felt like. All I knew was what I was feeling at that moment: a flood of warmth flowed through my veins, my head pounded, my heart raced, my chest constricted. Is this how you would describe your feelings for Padmé?"

"Exactly, but add in getting dizzy at the sight of her and feeling tingly all over at every thought of her, flashing back to wonderful memories of when we were together, like" -- I got lost in the thought -- "when we were on Naboo, looking out over the sparkling lake at sunset, after we had just given ourselves completely and totally to each -- "

"Ahem," Obi-Wan brought me back, looking at me sternly. "Is there something you need to tell me about your relationship with the senator?"

All color drained from my face, and my mouth went dry. I stuttered, "N-no, Master. What makes you think that?"
He studied my face and closed his eyes for a moment. I quickly shut the memory from my mind, but not quickly enough. When he opened his eyes, I saw the look of realization.

"You two have . . . you're . . . ?" He stammered, trying to put together what he wanted to say. "You're married!" he said finally, practically yelling.

"Master, shh!" I slumped at being found out. "Yes, Master. When I escorted her back to Naboo after Geonosis. Only Artoo and Threepio were there, apart from myself, Padmé, and the holyman."

His eyes were wide with shock. He stood up and paced, and finally had to leave the room. I figured he had gone to either cool off or to tell the Council. I wasn't taking any chances, so I got dressed and started packing my things. Just as I had finished and was about to exit the room, the door slid open and Obi-Wan came in. His eyes were red and watering and that vein in his forehead was almost popping out. He must have gone to the meditation room -- which was soundproof -- to have a good scream, I thought to myself.

He took the travel bag from my shoulder and set it down. Taking my shoulders, he turned me around and led me back to the bed. He sat me down and sat himself down across from me. Taking my hands, he looked into my eyes and said, "Anakin, at first, I must admit I was horrified, appalled, astonished that you would be so impetuous about something as serious as marriage. But after a nice, quiet meditation -- "

I snorted slightly.

"All right, a nice, loud meditation, I remember what it felt like to be young and in love. I also have enough faith in you to know that she must be really special to you. Though I might not approve of it, I accept it. And don't worry, not another soul will know."

I breathed a sigh of relief in gratitude. He reached over and embraced me warmly.

"Well," he said, leaning back into his chair, "shall I continue with my story or have we had enough excitement for one day?"

"I think I want to get some shut-eye, if you don't mind, Master."

"Go ahead, Padawan." He got up and went towards the door. He stopped, turned around, and said, "Just don't do anything I wouldn't do."

We both laughed, and I said, "Don't worry. No little Anakins will be conceived tonight."

"All right. Goodnight, Anakin. Tell Padmé I send my love and best wishes."

"I will, Master. Goodnight."