A/N: This chapter is really long because I'm going on vacation for a month so I won't be able to update until I come back. I hope you enjoy it and have an open mind when you read this, because what happens in this chapter is kinda shocking. Please let me know what you think about it.
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Two months later, Padmé and Seth were out of danger. The happyness and love bursting in waves inside Theed Palace could be noticed only by looking at its occupants. Parenthood had an incredible influence in Anakin's reign. He seemed to be a little more relaxed and mercyfull, and that did good to his popularity among his people.
At first, part of the people of Naboo (the part that didn't vote for Anakin as king) thought that the king's needs would be pointing to his personal life, having a wife living in another planet and all. But Anakin proved them wrong by showing that he could be a good king, even a better king than the one he had been when he was fourteen. He was a mature man now and had lived more, gathering the wisdom that was needed to be a good monarch.
Padmé was totally devoted to her little baby boy. Without being in duty, she could dedicate all of her time to Seth, who demanded much more attention that she thought necessary. She didn't mind doing her mother tasks by herself, though the palace staff insisted that 'little prince Seth' should be treated like part of royalty, which he was. But Padmé differed in this, saying that her son would have a normal life and that would be raised as any other boy. Anakin and Sabé seemed to be the only ones to agree with her, because even the protocol master of Theed's Palace insisted that Seth was born 'in grace' and that had to live up to his status. Padmé had to contain her laughter every time she heard the bearded and stiffened old man saying that.
The only thing that clouded Padmé's bliss was the fact that she would have to report for duty in four weeks, and that meant leaving her son and her husband. Many times she wondered how she would be able to do that. She never found an answer. She sought for advice with Anakin's advisors, her friends, Master Deba Billaba... Not even she had an answer. Padmé thought that she would be able to help her, being a member of the council and a woman, but she left her even more puzzled, saying that duties, family and love shouldn't be mixed. Her advice came a little too late.
*
It was late in the afternoon, and Padmé was taking Seth for a little walk through the gardens of the palace, of course, she carried him in her arms. All the opulence she wasn't used to sometimes was confusing, as if she was in a dream or something. Waking up and having servants doing your things and organizing your life was overwhelming. Padmé, who was born in Tatooine from a humble woman, was now living in a palace and married to a king. It seemed so unreal...
A familiar voice calling her name interrupted her thoughts. She looked down at Seth, who slept peacefully in her arms and turned around. He was just... standing there, in front of her, his clear eyes shining for her, and for her only. Padmé smiled kindly at the man who had changed her life.
"What are you doing here?", she asked, finally finding the words. The man walked towards her and looked down at the baby. Padmé wrapped her free arm around his neck and closed her eyes as she held him. "I missed you so much, Obi Wan", she said, disbelieving his presence.
"I missed you too, Padmé", he replied smiling. He drew back and laughed. "I can't believe it's you! Look at yourself...", he said as he grabbed her hand and stepped back to get a better look. "You are all grown up, and a mother!", he said in awe. Padmé smiled proudly and stepped closer to him, turning sideways so that Obi Wan could take a look at her son. "He has your chin...", he said taking the little chin in his finger, "and your brown hair... you both have the same eyes", he commented. Padmé shook her head and smiled.
"No, he has Anakin's eyes. The same blue", she corrected.
"But he has your look", Obi Wan pointed raising a brow. Padmé smiled kindly at her former master. He smiled back widely and brought his hands up. "Let me hold him", he said. Padmé gave him Seth and Obi Wan held him high to then bring him down to his chest. "What's his name?", he asked smiling at the baby.
"Seth", she replied. Obi Wan looked at her and frowned.
"It sounds so much like..."
"Sith", they both said at the same time. Padmé laughed and nodded.
"I know, but I like it and so does Anakin, that's the important thing".
"Tell me, how is your husband? Are things going alright with you?", Obi Wan asked as he sat down on a bench. Padmé sat next to him and started to tell Kenobi all about her new life with her husband and child. Every now and then, Obi Wan would nod and smile, listening carefully at her former Padawan's words. Padmé mentioned that she was having doubts regarding her duties as a Jedi. She felt that she would be leaving her son, even when she didn't want to, and that later in the future, Seth would have the doubt that his mother didn't fight enough to be with him.
"But, Padmé, how can you say that? He will understand", Obi Wan interrupted. Padmé frowned.
"How would you know?", she asked a little confused.
"I don't know, I'm just guessing. If you raise your son the right way he will understand. Every child goes through a phase when they feel confused and where they think that their parents are doing the wrong thing, but it's just a phase, it will pass. Sooner or later he WILL understand, I promise". Padmé reached for her son and Obi Wan gave him to her, sighing heavily.
"Maybe I'm the one that doesn't want to leave him, regardless of what he will think in the future", she said standing up and walking away. Obi Wan stood up and followed her.
"But Padmé, you were born to be a Jedi", Obi Wan said when he caught up with her. Padmé turned around and gave him a hard look.
"And Seth was born to be my son, and I intend to keep it that way. I want to be a mother to him, not some strange woman that he'll see every two months", she spat out.
"You can still be his mother and a Jedi", Obi Wan pressed. Padmé sighed and shook her head.
"You obviously don't understand anything about love, do you? Love means to live for a person and stay with that person. Take me and my mother for example. In our case I was the Jedi, and I didn't get to see her for ten years, and looked what happened. I know that I was away because I was still a Padawan, but still. As a Jedi knight I'll have more missions than a Padawan. I can't leave Seth, I love him too much", Padmé said. She looked at Obi Wan and sighed when she noticed how he looked at her. "But you wouldn't understand anything about it, would you?", Padmé asked in a hard tone.
Obi Wan sighed and lowered his eyes to his boots. "Don't say I don't know love, because I do", he paused and looked at Padmé, "I've known it for a long time, and spent years trying to let go of it".
Padmé frowned. "What are you talking about?", she asked. Obi Wan walked towards her and brought his hand up to carress her face. Padmé was too shocked to talk.
"You never noticed... did you?", Obi Wan whispered. Padmé blinked a couple of times and lowered her head.
"Obi Wan... please", she said in a trembling voice. After seeing her reaction, Obi Wan laughed. Padmé looked at him confused. "What's so funny?", she asked upset. Obi Wan managed to breathe and looked at her.
"I can't believe that you fell for that one!", he said still laughing. Padmé walked towards him and slapped him on the face. Obi Wan stopped laughing and frowned. "What's the matter with you?", he asked looking at her from head to toe.
"You don't play with something like that!", she replied in a hard tone.
"Padmé, I was just teasing you! What's wrong with making a joke?", he asked as if it wasn't a big deal.
"You don't play with something as important as love!", she shot back. "What happened to you in your trip? You are not the same Obi Wan I remember. You lost your seriousness, you are not reliable anymore", she said confused. At the mention of his journey, Obi Wan looked away. "What is it?", Padmé asked walking towards him, but Obi Wan stepped back.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you angry", he said walking away. Padmé caught up with him and placed her hand on his shoulder. At the feeling of her touch, Obi Wan turned away. Padmé noticed that his look held something different, but that had always been there, even before he left. Realization struck her, and she gasped at what she found in his eyes. How could she not notice before?
"You... you weren't joking... were you?", she asked, surprised that she had managed to find the words. Obi Wan slowly shook his head, never letting her gaze fall from his. Padmé sighed and looked down. "Obi Wan, I...", she started, but Obi Wan silenced her by lifting her head.
"Please, Padmé... don't. How I wished things would've been different between us", he said brushing a strand of hair off her face. There was long silence during the which they just looked at each other. Obi Wan, with love and care; Padmé with confusion and disappointment. He was leaning to kiss her when Padmé stepped back roughly.
"You can't do that...", she said shaking her head, an angry look in her eyes.
"Why not?", Obi Wan asked firmly.
"Because I'm married and I love my husband. I... I don't love you, at least not in that way". There was long and awkward silence between them. Padmé was so confused... This was Obi Wan, her former master and mentor. He had been like a father to her.
How could he love her if he was so much older than her? For a minute, Padmé thought this was sick, but she thought it over when she remembered couples that had a huge age difference, even greater than hers and Obi Wan. It still shocked her to think that Obi Wan had that type of feelings towards her. For how long had this been going on?
"Obi Wan Kenobi?", a voice said. Padmé and her former master turned around and saw Anakin standing there, a surprised smile on his lips.
"Your highness", Obi Wan greeted formally. He bowed, and when he stood straight he found Anakin in front of him, giving him a hug.
"Oh, come on, no formalities now. Tell me, when did you arrive?", Anakin asked cheerfully. Obi Wan looked down. Anakin turned to look at Padmé and she turned her eyes to the baby. Anakin grew suspicious. "Am I interrupting something?"
"No, Anakin, everything's fine", Padmé answered forcing a smile. Anakin didn't believe her, he could tell when she was lying by the way she carried herself. "Really, we are alright". Anakin turned to Obi Wan and searched his eyes.
"What happened here?", he asked him in a hard tone. Obi Wan looked up at Anakin and decided that it was better to tell him the truth or at least part of it.
"We had an arguement", he answered.
"An arguement about what?", Anakin pressed.
"About...", Obi Wan paused and thought it over for a minute. If he said 'love' the king would get it all wrong and probably think she had something to do about it. "About your son and what is best for him".
"I believe that that's a matter between me and my wife, Obi Wan. I would apreciate if we keep it that way", the king answered in his royal tone.
"Anakin, I asked him for advice...it's just that we didn't agree, that's all", Padmé said with a nervous smile. Anakin kept quiet for a minute, and then nodded, still doubting Padmé's words. She never called him by his full name unless she was tense or worried.
"I see...", he paused and took a deep breath, "well, I've got to go inside. The governor is expecting me. Let me take Seth, it's getting chilli out here", he said reaching for his son. Padmé handed the baby to him and Anakin held it protectively. "I'll see you at dinner", he said walking away. Then he turned to Obi Wan and gave him a hard look. Anakin was intrigued. Obi Wan's conversation with Padmé left him hanging in the doubt of wether it was truth what they told him or not.
*
Anakin was sitting at the dinner table waiting for Padmé. She finally rushed inside the room and sat down, trying to catch her breath. Padmé unfolded her napkin and placed it on her lap. She raised her head and noticed that Anakin was looking at her from the other end of the table. His eyes were hard, but Padmé also found hurt and confusion.
"I'm sorry I'm late, I was puting Seth to sleep", she explained while she held her fork in her fingers and dug it in her food. But Padmé still felt Anakin's intense gaze on her.
"Where's Obi Wan?", Anakin asked still looking at her. Padmé shrugged.
"I haven't seen him since you left us in the garden", she lied.
"Oh", Anakin replied dryly. He started eating and then stopped to have a zip of his wine. "Why are you lying to me?", he asked while he left the goblet on the table. Padmé shot her head up. Her eyes gave her away. Her mind raced trying to find an excuse that could save her, but she was blank. Anakin's piercing look was intimidating. Padmé had never felt so small in her life. Her face seemed to relax, and a soft sigh escaped her lips. She didn't have the nerve nor the strength to meet Anakin's accusing eyes, so she lowered her gaze to her food.
"I'm sorry".
"Do you trust me?", Anakin asked. Padmé's eyes met his once again. She was shocked by his question.
"With my life!", she replied desperate.
"Then why don't you tell me what's wrong?", he shot back in a hard tone. The fact that he was so hurt made him even agrier.
"I... I don't think that you are going to like it...", Padmé said shaking her head.
"Try me", he challenged. Padmé didn't expect that answer. She should've known better... This was her husband, and she knew that he didn't give up that easy. She stood up, walked towards him and knelt by his side. Anakin looked at the servants that were inside the dining room and waved his hand, dismissing them. They bowed and closed the doors behind them.
"You know that I love you, right?", she began. Anakin frowned and looked away.
"How does that have anything to do with this?", he whispered. Padmé held his hand and he looked at her. His look was begining to soften.
"I don't want you to get the wrong impression when I say what I am about to tell you, alright?", she asked. Anakin looked away. "Anakin...", she called. He didn't turn around.
Anakin was so hurt and confused that the only thing he wanted was an explanation. But he knew that if he looked at her, he would forgive her before she even explained. He needed to be strong and accomplish what he wanted. But it was hard. Ever since he had almost lost Padmé, he feared that by any minute she would slip away from him. Every morning he woke up and made the most of every day, trying to take in every little detail so that he would never forget how happy he had been.
"Anakin, listen to me", Padmé said grabbing his face and turning him to look at her, but his eyes kept looking down. "Please, look to me", she pleaded. Anakin raised his look and met Padmé's eyes. She smiled softly and trailed her fingers down his hair. "Thank you". Anakin nodded and motioned for Padmé to sit on a chair. "No, thank you, I'm fine here".
"Come on, Padmé, just tell me...", he said in a tired tone. Padmé made up her mind, puting all of her thoughts in order so that they made sense. She sighed and closed her eyes. "Padmé...", Anakin pressed. She opened her eyes and looked at him.
"Obi Wan has feelings for me", she confessed. Anakin gasped, shocked at the news. He was standing up but Padmé stood up first and pushed him down by his shoulders. "Please, Ani, before you do anything hear me out", she said looking down at him.
"Go on", he said in a whisper. Padmé brought a chair and sat next to him, holding his hand over the table so that he knew how much she cared.
"I've already talked to him and explained him that me and him would never happen".
"Do you want anything to happen?", Anakin asked looking away. Padmé frowned and stood up.
"How can you say that?", she almost yelled. Anakin didn't answer. "Look at me when I'm talking to you!", she pressed. Anakin looked at her and stood up, towering her, but he didn't intimidate her anymore. "Are you doubting my commitment towards you?"
"Oh, is this just a commitment to you?"
"You know I didn't mean it that way...", she said shaking her head.
"Well, it seems that our marriage is nothing but a meaningless commitment to you"
"Don't put words in my mouth, I never said that!", she yelled. They both breathed hard, trying to cool off. "What's the matter, Anakin? I feel like I don't know you anymore... Please, tell me what's bothering you", she said grasping his hand. Anakin looked down at her.
"You want to know what bothers me? The fact that your former master and also my former good friend came back and said he was in love with you is not enough?", he asked sarcastically turning away from Padmé, but she pulled him closer by tugging on his hand and cupped his face, forcing him to look at her. Anakin breathed hard and tried to control himself.
"Anakin... Ani, please look at me and tell me you don't believe that I return those feelings to him. Please, I need to know that you trust me", she pleaded almost crying. A tear rolled down her cheek and as for reflex Anakin stopped it with his thumb. He looked deeply into Padmé's eyes and found what he had been looking for: devotion.
"I don't believe that you return those feelings, because you are my wife", he said in a soft tone. Padmé shook her head.
"You shouldn't believe me just because I'm your wife", she whispered. Anakin gave her a puzzled look and she smiled, bringing him down for a kiss. "You should believe me because I love you". Anakin smiled and hugged her tightly.
"I'm sorry", he whispered into her ear. Padmé smiled and kissed the corner of his mouth.
"It's alright", she said. "I remembered being jealous myself, I understand how you feel". Anakin looked at her and raised a brow.
"But I never had feelings towards Jamillia", he pointed.
"And I never had feelings towards Obi Wan". Anakin smiled, hugged her and sighed.
"You are right, I'm so sorry". Padmé smiled and ran her hands up and down his back.
"Now I want you to appologize to Obi Wan, you were very rude back in the garden". Anakin released Padmé and walked away, clearly upset.
"I have nothing to appologize for", he answered, once again using his royal tone. Padmé sighed in frustration and walked to him.
"Ani, please! Obi Wan felt horrible after what you said, not to mention how you looked at him, so please appologize. At least talk to him when he comes by tomorrow..."
"He is NOT coming to our home!", Anakin interrupted. "I will not have a man that will be looking at you as if you were his prey in my palace, is that clear?", Anakin almost yelled. Padmé shook her head, clearly disappointed at her husband. "Don't look at me like that, I'm puting my foot down, end of the subject".
Padmé just stared at him for a while and nodded, realizing her husband was serious about his determination. "I can't believe you, Anakin. If I wouldn't have told you this you wouldn't be acting this way. Obi Wan saved our lives years ago, have you forgotten?". Anakin turned around and faced her. Padmé noticed the anger and confusion written in his eyes.
"That has nothing to do with this! You are my wife and I will not accept a man that has been in love with you for years as my friend", he spat out.
"I'm not asking you to be his friend, I just want you to appologize. At least talk to him, he needs to clear things out", Padmé said. At seeing that Anakin was still serious about his opinion, she walked towards him and searched for understanding in his eyes. "Please, Anakin. Obi Wan is really confused, and it would help him if you talked to him about this, you need to make him understand that I'll never be with him because I love you".
"Didn't you tell him that yourself?", he muttered trying to avoid her intense and pleading stare.
"I did, but it would help if you told him too", she said carressing his face. After a couple of minutes, Anakin sighed and Padmé smiled. "Thank you", she said while she brought him closer for a hug.
"But I'm only doing this for you...", he pointed. Padmé looked up at him and smiled.
"You are doing this for us and to help Obi Wan", she corrected. Anakin sighed heavily and nodded.
"Fine, fine... I'll talk to him when he comes by tomorrow". Padmé laughed and brought him down to kiss the tip of his nose.
"Ani, you are the greatest". Anakin smiled and nodded.
"I know..."
*
The next day, Obi Wan waited for Padmé in one of Theed Palace's many sitting rooms. The door opened, and to his surprise Padmé's husband walked inside alone, and wearing a strange expression on his face. Obi Wan couldn't tell if the king was confused, angry or uncomfortable. Maybe it was all three of them printed on Anakin's face. Obi Wan stood up and bowed.
"Your majesty", he greeted formally. Anakin waved his hand asking him to stand straight and walked closer to him.
"Please, Obi Wan, sit down", he paused and sat down on a big chair, taller than Obi Wan's, "we have a lot to talk about", he said as he sat back and rubbed his temples.
"Your majesty, if this is about Padmé and her duties..."
"This has nothing to do with Padmé's duties, at least not that kind of duties", Anakin interrupted. Obi Wan lowered his head and nodded. "Padmé told me everything, Obi Wan". The former Jedi Master shot his head back up and raised a brow.
"My lord?", he asked puzzled.
"I'm aware of the feelings you have towards my wife, and to be honest with you I'm not so happy about it", Anakin said in what sounded like a hard tone.
"I... I didn't expect Padmé to tell you about that...", Obi Wan managed to say as an intense blush invaded his skin.
"It seems she wasn't expecting to tell me either, I had to bring up the subject"
"You already knew about my feelings, my lord?", Obi Wan asked shocked. Anakin shook his head. "Then how did you..."
"That's not important now", the king interrupted. "What I intend to do is to leave something clear: Padmé is married to me, we are in love and we have a son", Anakin statened.
"I know that, my lord", Obi Wan barely whispered, clearly hurt.
"Obi Wan, I think that it will be better for you if you let your feelings go. It's been years since you developed those feelings and emotions, and things will not change", Anakin said, slightly shaking his head. Though he hated to admit it, he felt sorry for Obi Wan. Padmé was really easy to love wether if it was in a friendly or romantic way, and it was hard for Anakin to think that she wouldn't return that love.
"I understand, and I'm sorry if I gave you any problems", Obi Wan said dryly. Anakin stood up and walked towards Obi Wan. For a moment, the Jedi feared that the king would hit him, but he just placed his hand on his shoulder in a friendly way.
"I hope that I've made myself clear on this, Obi Wan...", he paused and waited for Obi Wan's reaction. He just nodded, and Anakin continued, though he didn't buy Kenobi's reply. "Good. Now I have to go, this planet doesn't rule by itself. I'll see you later".
As Anakin walked towards the door, Obi Wan stood up and walked to his side. "My lord, would you mind if I take a walk through the gardens?"
"No, not at all. And please: call me Anakin. We've been trhough that subject before...", he said smiling. Kenobi smiled back and nodded.
*
Theed Palace's Gardens
An hour after the talk with the king, Obi Wan still had his mind on Padmé. He couldn't understand why it was so hard to keep his thoughts away from her. He was so deeply sank in his thoughts that he didn't realize where he was. After a couple of minutes Obi Wan found himself lost in Theed Palace's gardens. Somehow he ended up under a big tree with thick branches. The tree's shape resembled a dome and it didn't allow any light to filter inside. Obi Wan was emotional and physically worn out, so he just sat down and leaned on the tree's log. His eyes were closing when he felt a bright light warming his skin. He opened his eyes.
"Ma... master?", he whispered in disbelief. The spirit of Qui Gon Jinn floated a couple of feet before Obi Wan, a blue light sorrounding the Jedi Master.
"Yes, Obi Wan. I've come here to help you clear your mind", the spirit replied in a deep voice. Obi Wan sighed and lowered his head.
"I... I failed you, Master", he said sadly.
"No, you haven't. Everyone fails in a determined time of their lives, it's not your fault".
"Yes, master", Obi Wan replied.
"I want you to mean it when you say that", Qui Gon pointed. Obi Wan raised his eyes and looked at his master. In a more determined tone, he repeated his answer. Qui Gon nodded and smiled. "Good".
"I need your guidance, Master. I feel so lost..."
"Obi Wan, look inside you and you will find the answer. I think that you already know it but you reffuse to accept it. Remeber that lesson, my former Padawan, when I taught you that acceptance would keep us away from the dark side?"
"Yes, Master. I remember myself teaching Padmé that lesson too", he replied with a sad smile. Qui Gon sighed and moved closer to Obi Wan.
"To teach we first have to learn, Obi Wan. You have to accept what you can't control, only then you can reach peace with the Force"
"But I don't feel the Force close to me anymore, Master. I haven't been a Jedi for so long and I haven't served the galaxy".
"You don't have to be a Jedi to serve others, and the Force is always with us. You can find it in a child or in our surroundings, it's everywhere. You also don't have to be a Jedi to feel it. Take king Skywalker, for example. He rules a planet and yet manages to have a personal life. His life is balanced, and the Force has something to do with that".
Obi Wan sighed and hid his face behind his hands in an attempt to burry his vulnerability. "Why can't I be like him?", he asked more to himself than to Qui Gon.
"What you really mean with that is why can't you be with Padmé", Qui Gon commented. Obi Wan smiled and shook his head.
"You know me so well, Master..."
"I know, but it's important that you knnow yourself and your limitations. In this case, what limitation would that be?", he questioned. Obi Wan stood up and looked straight into Qui Gon's eyes.
"I can't be with Padmé", he said in a serious tone.
"And what are you going to do about it?", Qui Gon asked almost smiling. Obi Wan stood straight.
"Accept it", he replied. He meant it when he statened his determination. The influence Obi Wan's former master had in him was remarkable. He only had to repeat his problems in his head and with Qui Gon's help he would find an answer.
"Good. I have to go now, Obi Wan".
"Master, please don't leave! I need your guidance!", Obi Wan pleaded.
"Not anymore...", he grinned. Qui Gon's image started to fade until there was nothing left but a thick darkness.
It took Obi Wan a couple of minutes to get used to the darkness, but he managed to walk out of the tree's shelter and into the garden. Nearby, Padmé sat on a bench watching the sunset. Obi Wan considered going inside the tree and hide until she left, but he gave it another thought and walked towards Padmé.
"He already left?", she asked withought taking her eyes off of the sunset. Obi Wan gasped at her question, surprised that she knew what had happened. He sat next to her and just looked at her, still unable to believe that she was aware of his encounter with his master.
"I'm a Jedi, Obi Wan. I can sense a presence in the Force", she explained. Obi Wan sighed and lowered his eyes. "How are you?", Padmé asked looking at him, concerned obvious in her eyes.
"It's incredible how Qui Gon...", he paused and took a deep breath. "He's such a powerful influence in my life. I can be as confused as a human being can be, but if he appears and makes me see what's happening, I realize that everything has a way out", he explained in awe.
"So...?", Padmé asked, eager to hear how Qui Gon had affected Obi Wan's feelings.
"I'll move on", he replied in a secure tone. Padmé smiled and Obi Wan couldn't help to return the smile. Padmé hugged him and sighed.
"I'm so happy, Obi Wan", she said. Padmé noticed how Obi Wan stiffened in her embrace so she released him. "I'm sorry... I didn't mean to..."
"It's alright", Obi Wan interrupted. Padmé smiled nervously and looked away. "I'm leaving to Courasant tomorrow. I'll talk to the Jedi Council to see if they take me back"
"They will, don't worry about it", she assured him with a smile.
"Thank you", he said. "Anakin talked to me this afternoon", he mentioned changing the subject. Padmé grew curious and her eyes opened widely. "Everything went well, Anakin was very understanding with me", he explained.
"He was?", she asked smiling. Her eyes twinkled with happyness and pride.
"Yes, your husband is a very good man, Padmé", Obi Wan replied in a nostalgic voice. Padmé noticed the change in his emotions and placed a friendly hand on his shoulder and smiled.
"You are a good man too, Obi Wan. You know that, right?", she questioned. Obi Wan sighed and shrugged. "You ARE a good man, Obi Wan".
"Thank you, Padmé".
*
Obi Wan's shuttle took off and got lost in the sky, leaving a white line of engine smoke as a trail. Padmé and Anakin were there to see him off like good friends. When the ship was out of sight, Padmé sighed heavily and leaned against Anakin's chest. He smiled and wrapped his arms around her waist.
"What is it?", he asked as he leaned his chin on her head.
"I just hope that the council takes him back...", she whispered. Anakin laughed softly and slightly shook his head. "What?", Padmé asked.
"What you mean is that you hope that he will be okay", he corrected. Padmé smiled and looked up at Anakin. "You know me so well", she said as she turned to embrace him.
"Of course I do, I'm your husband after all...", he mentioned. Padmé laughed at him and closed her eyes. The moment was interrupted by a worried Sabé that ran into the hangar. Anakin looked at her and frowned. "What is it Sabé? It's Seth, isn' it?", he asked worried. Sabé shook her head and remained still for a while to catch her breath.
"No, he's alright. It's the Jedi council, they want to speak to you, Padmé".
Padmé was shocked to say the least. She released Anakin and walked towards Sabé. "Do you know what it's about?", she asked.
Sabé shrugged and half closed her eyes. "Something about a mission?"