Come Undone
Chapter 11
Obi-wan would look back at this last meal with Anakin and the Senator with a mixture of bittersweet reflection. When he arrived, they sat down to a pleasant, yet unassuming meal that was complimented with an exquisite bottle of wine from Padmé's home world. In his heart, Obi-wan admired her taste in wines far more than he did in her choice of men, but begrudgingly had to admit to himself that her influence had a marked, positive, effect on the young Jedi.
Anakin had been attentive yet unobtrusive in dealing with Padmé's… condition.
He had insisted on doing all the serving and tidying up (something that had been as rare as flying banthas back at the temple…) and his affections had been demonstrated in subtle, tender ways. His adoration of her was total, and in any other relationship would have been seen as a wonderful thing… if he had only been something other than a Jedi…
They had retired to the sitting room and, over another glass of the Nubian vintage had played a game of Unbetund. Halfway through the game of knowledge, Padmé conceded her own defeat and contented herself with just listening to the two men banter back and forth. After a short time, (at Anakin's insistence) she rested her head on a pillow in his lap and despite her claims of not being tired, she didn't even notice it when a blanket was draped over her prone form.
Anakin stroked the top of her head absently with his left hand while his artificial arm rested easily over her waist and the soft swell of her belly. He too had conceded defeat to Obi-wan after a amicably fought battle that had lasted the entirety of not one but two bottles of the wine. Their conversation drifted from one generality to another until it at last wandered inevitably into politics and the Jedi Order itself…
"Can't you see Obi-wan?" Anakin began again, obviously becoming exasperated. "The Crèche is already almost empty, no new initiates have been brought into the order in nearly two years! And what with the Repatriating Act that has taken many of the younger potential Jedi back to their home worlds…"
"That will all change when the war is over Anakin…" Obi-wan stated succinctly, trying to maintain his own sense of composure. "The interim council has already begun to look into ways to recruit new force sensitive beings… even those who might be beyond the normal age for training…"
"And rip them away from their families as Qui-gon did to me?" Anakin snapped bitterly. "Try to.. to… 'train' the love out of them? I tell you from experience Obi-wan that it will NOT work as well as the Council in it's infinite wisdom seems to think…"
"I did not say I agreed with them Anakin… " Obi-wan said softly. "Again, you seem quick to rush to judgment…"
"As are they…" Anakin growled softly. "They condemn my relationship with Padmé in the one hand, yet insist on my staying on for 'further training'…" He paused, softening. "To be honest Obi-wan, that smacks of your involvement… you always seem to be there to try and save me… even from myself sometimes…"
Obi-wan was about to reply when both he and Anakin noticed Padmé stirring. She sighed softly, raising her hand to brush his cheek.
"Are you being difficult love?" she asked sleepily.
Obi-wan chuckled softly, "When is he NOT Senator… Padmé…" he corrected himself suddenly. Anakin threw him an unreadable look and shook his head, returning his attention fully to his wife.
"What time is it?" she asked as she sat up, a little more awake now.
"Late enough for you to retire with my son my love." Anakin said softly. "yet early enough that perhaps Master Kenobi would join me in the gym for a bit of a work out?"
"He believes that a little wine will make it easy on him…" Obi-wan added slyly. "The apprentice forgets that I can drink a Corrilian freighter pilot under the table and STILL beat him in a fair fight…"
"And the OLD MAN forgets who made him spend three days in the healers ward back at the Temple when he challenged me to a 'no limits' workout six weeks ago…" Anakin retorted with a gleam in his eye.
Padmé ran her hand through her hair and with a little help from Anakin, stood up. "Why don't you two pirates go down to the gym and work out your 'aggressions' and leave me in peace. Anakin, will you leave a note for Dormé telling her not to worry about the dishes, that I'll take care of them…"
"Don't worry, I'll do them myself in the morning, Love…" Anakin told her tenderly, rising to escort her to bed. "You go rest, and the old man and I will go have it out for a bit…" With a mischievous twinkle in his eye, Anakin turned his attention to the Master.
Obi-wan, who had also risen, gave Padmé a polite little bow and smiled at Anakin. "The 'Old Man' would be delighted to teach you a lesson my friend… goodnight… mistress…" he bowed again as Anakin lead Padmé to their room and waited patiently for Anakin's return. When he emerged from the bedchamber, a harder look had seemed to come over his face and Obi-wan blanched inwardly. Perhaps this wasn't going to be as easy as he initially had thought….
