Disclaimer: These characters aren't my original creation; they belong to
George Lucas. No profit intended.
Obi-Wan slept fitfully that night, wishing desperately that he had followed Anakin and Padmé, even if it would have meant an unavoidable physical conflict. He could feel that Padmé was hurting even in his sleep; he could feel her gentle spirit calling out to him. The realization that she needed him -- and that he needed her -- was agonizing, because it went hand-in- hand with the knowledge that they could not turn to each other for comfort, even in friendship. In his sleep, a kind of anger rose within Obi-Wan, anger towards Anakin that he felt more and more with every passing day. Inexplicably, the wise Jedi felt a need to protect and shelter the beautiful Senator from even an ounce of pain, and yet, he felt powerless to ease her suffering. In his heart, he knew that Anakin had started down a path, and that it was too late for his apprentice to turn back. A voice in his head reminded him of his failure. He hadn't been strong enough to save Anakin. Would he be strong enough to save Padmé?
At daybreak, Obi-Wan went to the council to discuss the events of the previous night. After relating the story to the twelve venerable Jedi, he added, softly but firmly, "I believe Anakin is a threat to Padmé."
"Hmmm," said Yoda, closing his eyes in thought. "Cloud your judgement, your feelings do."
Obi-Wan was mildly frustrated. "Does the council not agree that Anakin is dangerous?"
Yoda and Mace looked at each other. "Anakin is unpredictable and has much anger, but we do not feel he would hurt the Senator," said Mace.
The Jedi in the center of the room sighed deeply, calming himself. "With all respect, Masters, you do not know Anakin as well as I do. Padmé has confided in me that she feels uncomfortable with her husband at times."
"Unfortunate, that is," said Yoda. "But lover's quarrels, a Jedi's business are not."
Inside, Obi-Wan felt a kind of sinking feeling. Would the Council not help him? Did they not have more concern for Padmé?
"Be mindful of your feelings, Obi-Wan," Master Windu said. "Strong emotions such as yours may be dangerous as well."
Obi-Wan nodded gravely. Could the Masters sense how deep his caring for Padmé ran? He spoke before further comments were made regarding his feelings. "It would provide me with some solace if the Council would speak with my apprentice. I feel as if I have little control over him anymore, and I put my faith in the twelve of you to have more influence on him than myself."
"We will request that Anakin meet with us immediately," said Mace. "And we will ask that he stay at the Temple for several days for meditation and private council."
"Thank you, Masters," said Obi-Wan. "Your assistance is much appreciated."
--------------------------
Anakin arrived at the Temple shortly afterwards, and greeted Obi-Wan brusquely. "Hello, Master," he said coldly. "This is your doing, isn't it?"
"Excuse me?" Obi-Wan was confused.
"You made the Council call me here. Have you no faith in me?"
"I felt you could use some guidance, Padawan, and since you refuse to listen to me, I did request that the Council meet with you."
Anakin said nothing, only watching as Obi-Wan gathered a few things together. "Where are you going?" he asked finally.
Obi-Wan looked at his apprentice for a moment. "I have personal business to attend to," he said. Anakin knew Obi-Wan well enough to realize that pressing the matter was almost entirely futile, so he let it drop.
As he exited, leaving Anakin to his own devices, Obi-Wan turned to his apprentice. "Anakin, please, be mindful of the Council's instruction. I only want to help..." he paused, a bit embarrassed. "Because I care about you."
Anakin did not even turn to face his Master. "I appreciate your concern, Obi-Wan."
And with that, Obi-Wan Kenobi set off for his apprentice's apartment.
--------------------------
He knocked on the door of Anakin and Padmé's apartment in the familiar pattern that alerted Padmé as to who her visitor was. Just to be sure, her gentle voice called out, "Who's there?"
"It's me," he said, "Obi-Wan."
Inside the apartment, he heard the number pad's soft beeping as the Senator pushed the numbers that would open the door. It slid back smoothly, and Obi- Wan stepped inside, his heart leaping at the sight of his friend. She smiled brightly at him, unexpected tears blurring her vision. And as the door hissed closed behind him, he was both surprised and delighted when she threw her arms around him, burying her face in his chest.
"I'm so glad to see you, Obi-Wan," she said softly.
Taking a moment to relish the feeling of holding her tightly in his arms, he spoke quietly. "I worried about you all night," he said. "I could sense that you were distressed."
Padmé pulled away from Obi-Wan, and he immediately missed the contact. She turned away from him, moving to look out the window.
He came up behind her, and she closed her eyes in the simple comfort of his proximity. "Did something happen?" he said gently.
When she did not answer, Obi-Wan took her silence as a yes. He never pushed these matters with her, knowing that one day she would open up to him, when she was ready. A gentle hand came to rest on her side, and she almost shivered at the sensual lightness of his touch. She felt him move closer to her until he was pressed close against her back, and she let her body relax as she leaned into the solid strength of his chest, letting him support her. The simple contact was immensely comforting and Padmé marveled at how natural and good it felt. But while there was nothing inappropriate about it, both knew what a rage it would send Anakin into, if ever they were discovered in such a position. Padmé longed for Obi-Wan's tender, loving touch, longed for his soulful eyes looking so honestly into hers, longed for just one sweet kiss. But a need for their mutual safety from Anakin's wrath made her say "You shouldn't be here."
He sighed deeply, and said, "I know," but did not move. He wanted only to stand like this, with her light weight against his chest, the soft curve of her hip under his hand, and the scent of her hair, the sound of her voice making him feel more content than he could ever remember being.
"I hate leaving you with him," he said, his voice quiet but his tone intense. "I hate walking out that door and leaving you here to wait for him to come home and do the things that cause you so much sadness, I feel your pain miles away while I sleep." He took a deep breathe and exhaled slowly, calming himself. "I hate feeling like I'm powerless to ease your suffering."
She turned around suddenly to face him, her eyes wild with a kind of fire he had never seen there before. "So don't leave me," she said fiercely. "Take me with you; take me away from him."
Obi-Wan appeared startled. It had been a kind of rash fantasy of his, but he realized the implications it would have on their fragile world.
"The council would never approve..." he began.
"The council doesn't understand!" she said, passion rising in her voice. "Don't you see, Obi-Wan? My future lies in your hands. You're the only person that can help me."
"Padme, please," he said, turning away from her. "You musn't ask me to do things that I cannot."
"And who says you can't?" she demanded.
"The Council!" he said, his voice rising. "I can't just run away with you; they'd expel me from the Order!"
"Is that what's more important to you? The Order?"
"Nothing is more important than being a Jedi," he said passionately. "Nothing can come before that. This is my life, and it is my duty to remain loyal to the oath I have sworn -- if I betray the Council, if I betray Anakin, what kind of man would I be then?"
"Would you betray me, then?" she asked softly.
"Never," he whispered, taking her face in his hand. His eyes were dark with emotion. "But there is nothing I can do at the moment." He sighed. "I wish I could help you, Padme. Truly I do."
Suddenly, her strong determination overcame her, and she pulled away from him, her features going from a soft disappointment to her more familiar disposition of steely courage. "How silly of me," she said. "Of course you must do your duty as a Jedi."
Obi-Wan breathed a sigh of relief. At last, she was being reasonable.
"I'll just go on my own," she added, and Obi-Wan was surprised that he had not seen that statement coming.
"I won't let you!" he said wildly.
"I'm a grown woman," she said, turning away from him angrily. "I don't need a chaperone."
"It's too dangerous!"
"Well then that's a risk I'll have to take," she said. "I can't stay here with him, Obi-Wan. And if you were any kind of friend, you'd understand that."
"Padme, please." He stepped in front of her, and took her face in his hand so that she was forced to meet his gaze. "Don't do this," he said.
"You leave me no choice, Obi-Wan. I'm going. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to pack my bags."
"You're not going anywhere," he said, his voice surprisingly forceful. "Not without me."
"You have no authority over me," she spat, "and you cannot give me orders. I'm not a child, and I refuse to ask for your permission."
Obi-Wan calmed himself. "M'lady, I only have your best intentions at heart," he said. "Please, think clearly on this. You're being rash."
"I am not being rash," she retorted. "I have thought about this for a long time, and my decision is made. I will go, with or without you."
"Where will you go?" he asked. "What of your duties as a Senator? There are people who need you here, Padme."
Tears welled in her eyes. "The Republic is crumbling, Obi-Wan," she said. "You know it as well as I do. There is no more that I can do here, and not much that you can, either."
"You musn't lose faith." He placed a hand on her shoulder. "The Jedi Order --"
"I've heard enough about your damn Order," she said indignantly. "The Order is falling apart as well. Our world is crumbling, Obi-Wan, and if you are too blind to see that then you are not the wise man I thought you to be."
Obi-Wan was taken aback, and he sat down on the bed, putting his head in his hands. Her words smacked of a truth that scared him, truths he had tried to ignore for far too long.
She continued, but quietly. "The Force has done nothing for me except turn my husband into a man I no longer recognize," she said. "The Jedi's rules and ways are no longer enough to protect this world."
His voice was soft and slightly bitter when he spoke. "Would you so disrespect the cause I have given my life to?"
She joined him on the bed, covering his hand with hers. "It's not disrespect," she said, sympathy in her voice. "It's the truth."
He looked down, hoping that she would not notice the tear that slipped from his eye. But she did, and she wiped it away. After all, how many times had he been here to dry her tears?
"There comes a time when we must do what our hearts tell us to do," she said, "and not what some rule book tells us to do. You must do what you feel is right for yourself, and stop living your life to please other people. Do you want me to be safe -- do you want me to be happy?"
"Yes," he breathed. "More than anything."
"Then take me away from here," she whispered, and buried her face in his chest.
He stroked her hair with a calloused hand. He was silent for a long time, and finally let out a long breath. "Pack your things," he said. "We'll leave at dawn."
Obi-Wan slept fitfully that night, wishing desperately that he had followed Anakin and Padmé, even if it would have meant an unavoidable physical conflict. He could feel that Padmé was hurting even in his sleep; he could feel her gentle spirit calling out to him. The realization that she needed him -- and that he needed her -- was agonizing, because it went hand-in- hand with the knowledge that they could not turn to each other for comfort, even in friendship. In his sleep, a kind of anger rose within Obi-Wan, anger towards Anakin that he felt more and more with every passing day. Inexplicably, the wise Jedi felt a need to protect and shelter the beautiful Senator from even an ounce of pain, and yet, he felt powerless to ease her suffering. In his heart, he knew that Anakin had started down a path, and that it was too late for his apprentice to turn back. A voice in his head reminded him of his failure. He hadn't been strong enough to save Anakin. Would he be strong enough to save Padmé?
At daybreak, Obi-Wan went to the council to discuss the events of the previous night. After relating the story to the twelve venerable Jedi, he added, softly but firmly, "I believe Anakin is a threat to Padmé."
"Hmmm," said Yoda, closing his eyes in thought. "Cloud your judgement, your feelings do."
Obi-Wan was mildly frustrated. "Does the council not agree that Anakin is dangerous?"
Yoda and Mace looked at each other. "Anakin is unpredictable and has much anger, but we do not feel he would hurt the Senator," said Mace.
The Jedi in the center of the room sighed deeply, calming himself. "With all respect, Masters, you do not know Anakin as well as I do. Padmé has confided in me that she feels uncomfortable with her husband at times."
"Unfortunate, that is," said Yoda. "But lover's quarrels, a Jedi's business are not."
Inside, Obi-Wan felt a kind of sinking feeling. Would the Council not help him? Did they not have more concern for Padmé?
"Be mindful of your feelings, Obi-Wan," Master Windu said. "Strong emotions such as yours may be dangerous as well."
Obi-Wan nodded gravely. Could the Masters sense how deep his caring for Padmé ran? He spoke before further comments were made regarding his feelings. "It would provide me with some solace if the Council would speak with my apprentice. I feel as if I have little control over him anymore, and I put my faith in the twelve of you to have more influence on him than myself."
"We will request that Anakin meet with us immediately," said Mace. "And we will ask that he stay at the Temple for several days for meditation and private council."
"Thank you, Masters," said Obi-Wan. "Your assistance is much appreciated."
--------------------------
Anakin arrived at the Temple shortly afterwards, and greeted Obi-Wan brusquely. "Hello, Master," he said coldly. "This is your doing, isn't it?"
"Excuse me?" Obi-Wan was confused.
"You made the Council call me here. Have you no faith in me?"
"I felt you could use some guidance, Padawan, and since you refuse to listen to me, I did request that the Council meet with you."
Anakin said nothing, only watching as Obi-Wan gathered a few things together. "Where are you going?" he asked finally.
Obi-Wan looked at his apprentice for a moment. "I have personal business to attend to," he said. Anakin knew Obi-Wan well enough to realize that pressing the matter was almost entirely futile, so he let it drop.
As he exited, leaving Anakin to his own devices, Obi-Wan turned to his apprentice. "Anakin, please, be mindful of the Council's instruction. I only want to help..." he paused, a bit embarrassed. "Because I care about you."
Anakin did not even turn to face his Master. "I appreciate your concern, Obi-Wan."
And with that, Obi-Wan Kenobi set off for his apprentice's apartment.
--------------------------
He knocked on the door of Anakin and Padmé's apartment in the familiar pattern that alerted Padmé as to who her visitor was. Just to be sure, her gentle voice called out, "Who's there?"
"It's me," he said, "Obi-Wan."
Inside the apartment, he heard the number pad's soft beeping as the Senator pushed the numbers that would open the door. It slid back smoothly, and Obi- Wan stepped inside, his heart leaping at the sight of his friend. She smiled brightly at him, unexpected tears blurring her vision. And as the door hissed closed behind him, he was both surprised and delighted when she threw her arms around him, burying her face in his chest.
"I'm so glad to see you, Obi-Wan," she said softly.
Taking a moment to relish the feeling of holding her tightly in his arms, he spoke quietly. "I worried about you all night," he said. "I could sense that you were distressed."
Padmé pulled away from Obi-Wan, and he immediately missed the contact. She turned away from him, moving to look out the window.
He came up behind her, and she closed her eyes in the simple comfort of his proximity. "Did something happen?" he said gently.
When she did not answer, Obi-Wan took her silence as a yes. He never pushed these matters with her, knowing that one day she would open up to him, when she was ready. A gentle hand came to rest on her side, and she almost shivered at the sensual lightness of his touch. She felt him move closer to her until he was pressed close against her back, and she let her body relax as she leaned into the solid strength of his chest, letting him support her. The simple contact was immensely comforting and Padmé marveled at how natural and good it felt. But while there was nothing inappropriate about it, both knew what a rage it would send Anakin into, if ever they were discovered in such a position. Padmé longed for Obi-Wan's tender, loving touch, longed for his soulful eyes looking so honestly into hers, longed for just one sweet kiss. But a need for their mutual safety from Anakin's wrath made her say "You shouldn't be here."
He sighed deeply, and said, "I know," but did not move. He wanted only to stand like this, with her light weight against his chest, the soft curve of her hip under his hand, and the scent of her hair, the sound of her voice making him feel more content than he could ever remember being.
"I hate leaving you with him," he said, his voice quiet but his tone intense. "I hate walking out that door and leaving you here to wait for him to come home and do the things that cause you so much sadness, I feel your pain miles away while I sleep." He took a deep breathe and exhaled slowly, calming himself. "I hate feeling like I'm powerless to ease your suffering."
She turned around suddenly to face him, her eyes wild with a kind of fire he had never seen there before. "So don't leave me," she said fiercely. "Take me with you; take me away from him."
Obi-Wan appeared startled. It had been a kind of rash fantasy of his, but he realized the implications it would have on their fragile world.
"The council would never approve..." he began.
"The council doesn't understand!" she said, passion rising in her voice. "Don't you see, Obi-Wan? My future lies in your hands. You're the only person that can help me."
"Padme, please," he said, turning away from her. "You musn't ask me to do things that I cannot."
"And who says you can't?" she demanded.
"The Council!" he said, his voice rising. "I can't just run away with you; they'd expel me from the Order!"
"Is that what's more important to you? The Order?"
"Nothing is more important than being a Jedi," he said passionately. "Nothing can come before that. This is my life, and it is my duty to remain loyal to the oath I have sworn -- if I betray the Council, if I betray Anakin, what kind of man would I be then?"
"Would you betray me, then?" she asked softly.
"Never," he whispered, taking her face in his hand. His eyes were dark with emotion. "But there is nothing I can do at the moment." He sighed. "I wish I could help you, Padme. Truly I do."
Suddenly, her strong determination overcame her, and she pulled away from him, her features going from a soft disappointment to her more familiar disposition of steely courage. "How silly of me," she said. "Of course you must do your duty as a Jedi."
Obi-Wan breathed a sigh of relief. At last, she was being reasonable.
"I'll just go on my own," she added, and Obi-Wan was surprised that he had not seen that statement coming.
"I won't let you!" he said wildly.
"I'm a grown woman," she said, turning away from him angrily. "I don't need a chaperone."
"It's too dangerous!"
"Well then that's a risk I'll have to take," she said. "I can't stay here with him, Obi-Wan. And if you were any kind of friend, you'd understand that."
"Padme, please." He stepped in front of her, and took her face in his hand so that she was forced to meet his gaze. "Don't do this," he said.
"You leave me no choice, Obi-Wan. I'm going. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to pack my bags."
"You're not going anywhere," he said, his voice surprisingly forceful. "Not without me."
"You have no authority over me," she spat, "and you cannot give me orders. I'm not a child, and I refuse to ask for your permission."
Obi-Wan calmed himself. "M'lady, I only have your best intentions at heart," he said. "Please, think clearly on this. You're being rash."
"I am not being rash," she retorted. "I have thought about this for a long time, and my decision is made. I will go, with or without you."
"Where will you go?" he asked. "What of your duties as a Senator? There are people who need you here, Padme."
Tears welled in her eyes. "The Republic is crumbling, Obi-Wan," she said. "You know it as well as I do. There is no more that I can do here, and not much that you can, either."
"You musn't lose faith." He placed a hand on her shoulder. "The Jedi Order --"
"I've heard enough about your damn Order," she said indignantly. "The Order is falling apart as well. Our world is crumbling, Obi-Wan, and if you are too blind to see that then you are not the wise man I thought you to be."
Obi-Wan was taken aback, and he sat down on the bed, putting his head in his hands. Her words smacked of a truth that scared him, truths he had tried to ignore for far too long.
She continued, but quietly. "The Force has done nothing for me except turn my husband into a man I no longer recognize," she said. "The Jedi's rules and ways are no longer enough to protect this world."
His voice was soft and slightly bitter when he spoke. "Would you so disrespect the cause I have given my life to?"
She joined him on the bed, covering his hand with hers. "It's not disrespect," she said, sympathy in her voice. "It's the truth."
He looked down, hoping that she would not notice the tear that slipped from his eye. But she did, and she wiped it away. After all, how many times had he been here to dry her tears?
"There comes a time when we must do what our hearts tell us to do," she said, "and not what some rule book tells us to do. You must do what you feel is right for yourself, and stop living your life to please other people. Do you want me to be safe -- do you want me to be happy?"
"Yes," he breathed. "More than anything."
"Then take me away from here," she whispered, and buried her face in his chest.
He stroked her hair with a calloused hand. He was silent for a long time, and finally let out a long breath. "Pack your things," he said. "We'll leave at dawn."