While You Were Out
Chapter 9
Blue Milk and Holograms
Thump.
Gods what was that?
A whistle and beep.
Obi-Wan was dreaming and he knew it, although he could hear Anakin in the kitchenette.
Another thud. Splat.
It would be time to get up soon... find out what his Padawan was doing...
Splat! Giggle. A fussy "Oh dear..."
Why was he so tired? Of course, Anakin had been missing his mother in the middle of the night and Obi-Wan had spent hours comforting him....
"Poo-Doo WHA!"
Splat.
Anakin... No, not Anakin...
Obi-Wan shot off of the couch and dashed into the kitchenette only to rush headlong into 3PO and predictably, both Jedi Master and Protocol droid ended up on opposite parts of the floor. R2 beeped and whistled his concern while Luke, covered in wet grain meal, howled with laughter. The floor was covered in food and small containers, quite possibly the result of failed attempts at force manipulation. Indeed, just as Obi-Wan found his feet, Luke saw him and the bottle of blue milk went crashing to the floor adding to the already formidable mess.
"Oh-Pee-Wan!" Luke cried happily, arms extended while Obi-Wan helped 3PO to his feet.
"I'm sorry Master Kenobi," said the droid petulantly. "But Child care isn't in my programming...."
"It's alright, it's alright," replied Obi-Wan as he picked up the giggling Luke who promptly shoved a handful of mush onto his nose. "Have you heard from Anakin?"
R2 began a series of frantic beeps and whistles and 3PO waved him off.
"All right R2! I'll give him the message! Master Anakin sent a communication this morning but as you were still closed down he asked that you please send him a communication when you awoke and that he would contact you on the holonet as soon as possible."
"Send a communication to Master Skywalker then if you would. I'll get young master Luke here cleaned up and fed and we'll see how things are with his sister.
3PO gave a stiff little bow and excused himself while Obi-Wan began trying to clean up his squirming charge.
A little while later, Obi-Wan and a decidedly clean up Luke stood before the holo projector. Luke was sucking on his father's comlink, safe in Obi-Wan's arms.
When the image projected itself, Obi-Wan was surprised at how exhausted and drawn Anakin looked.
"Is everything all right?" Asked Obi-Wan before Anakin could get a word in.
"MASSA-FAH!" cried Luke gleefully as he chucked the comlink at his father's image and he giggled madly as the hologram instinctively bent over, hands covering his genitals. Even Obi-Wan winced as the com passed through its mark.
"Hello son..." Anakin said tiredly. "Are you treating Master Kenobi well?"
"O-Pee-Wan!" Luke cried happily as the com came shooting back towards him. Obi-Wan caught it deftly and handed back to Luke who began sucking on the end contentedly.
Anakin raised an eyebrow and smiled wryly. "Oh-PEE-Wan?"
"Never mind that," the Master retorted stiffly. "How's your daughter?"
"They are talking about keeping her another night, or they may let us come home as early as this evening." Anakin sighed. "Padmé has also taken ill; they are bringing her right to the healers when she arrives in the morning. Obi-Wan, you can bring Luke here..."
"When will you find out?" Obi-Wan interrupted him gently. "About Leia?"
"This evening... "Anakin sighed again. "After evening meal. They need to do a few last test but if she takes more fluids she should be alright."
"I will bring Luke to the healers this evening then," said Obi-Wan in his 'Don't argue with your Master voice.' "We will have supper together, you, the children and myself, and we will go from there... You should rest. You look rather peeked yourself son..."
"Yes Master..." answered Anakin willingly enough, but then he considered. "But what about you and Luke..."
"We shall be fine, won't we lad?" Obi-Wan smiled. "We shall spend the afternoon at the Temple. Keep your young son out of trouble."
"Oh-PEE!"
Honk.
"Thank you Obi-Wan..." Anakin began again but once again was cut off.
"Go..." insisted Obi-Wan. "We will see you tonight, Kenobi and young Skywalker out."
With that the holo winked out and the Jedi Master and his young charge wandered down to the nursery to gather some things for the day.
