Part Two: Time to Talk

I found a spot in the grass along the pathway and sat down. Anakin, still quiet, followed and sat down next to me. I took in three deep breaths and closed my eyes. "Is something wrong, Anakin?"

Anakin straightened and shook his head. "Not at all."

"Don't think I meant those things to offend you, Anakin. I know that's what you're thinking about. But you can be trouble sometimes. And this isn't part of the training. I set this day aside for us to talk."

"To talk?" Anakin choked.

I opened my eyes and turned my head to look at my apprentice. "You have questions to ask me. I know. You have for a long time, but never had the guts to ask me. Well, I think it's time to ask me a few. It isn't good for you to hold back on me. I won't be offended by it."

Anakin's eyes grew wide. I could tell he thought I was crazy. "Are you feeling okay, Master? This isn't like you."

"How so, Anakin?" I fixed my position.

"You never act this way unless you were thinking about something deeply." He paused. My face never changed expression. "You're thinking of Qui-Gon again."

I shook my head. "What makes you think that?"

"You're beginning to sound like him." His voice was low.

I looked down but said nothing. I didn't want to admit it, but I was. It wasn't the reason why I brought him out here. I just thought it was a good idea for me and him to interact for a little bit. Or was I missing the point when two people sat down just to talk? People just don't seem to do it enough these days. There's just no time. But I'm making time for it right now.

"Yes, you are." Anakin answered my unspoken question.

My expression dropped instantly, my shields rose up again. "And is it bad for someone to get acquainted with a nice gesture? To just sit down and talk, Anakin."

"You never seemed to enjoy that, Master. All you wanted to do was sit there and meditate or give me some lecture on why the tunics we wear are so special or whatever. We don't have that many conversations I would consider normal."

"Not all the time. Remember those nights when we laid in the Room of a Thousand Fountains and watched the stars?"

It grew quiet. Anakin felt like he was at a lost. He would always want me to tick, just for a second, to see my anger. To annoy and tease me like he always did. No, I couldn't do that. It all leads back to the Jedi Code and the 'Don't-Give-Into-Your-Hate' speech. Oh, no, you don't, Anakin. Not today.

"So, are you?" He shot back. "Are you thinking about Qui-Gon?"

It fell silent.

"Are you?" He repeated.

"No, I'm not. I thought it would be best for us to talk a little more on a personal note."

"Personal note?" He still gave me a confused look. "Who are you and what did you do to Obi-Wan?"

"Nothing's wrong with me, Anakin. You act like we've never had these kind of days--" Anakin cut me off.

"We never have, Master."

"Don't say that, Anakin, because we have. That doesn't matter if it wasn't a big or small conversation, we've had those. You've just been too busy working on your droids or wielding techniques to realize that," My voice rose slightly.

He snorted and looked away. Again, I win. Oh no, Anakin. You will never get me to say anything unless I actually want to. I chuckled to myself and looked up at the sky. The traffic continued to flow around the dome smoothly. I sat back, leaning on the palms of my hands.

"Coruscant can be so much more beautiful when it's seen through the eyes of a tourist. Of the common folk," I broke the silence. My eyes still fixed to the roof of the dome.

Anakin peered over at me. "But as a Jedi you can see other worlds. Discover new species. And who knows what else?"

"Only to solve conflicts and mediate problems. Once it's all over we have to go back to the Temple, and wait for another mission to be dropped into our laps. Over and over again. Where's the fun in that, Anakin? Sure, we see other worlds, but we don't actually get to explore it and take it in as a resort. No, we have a job to do. We are the Keepers of the Peace. We don't have much time to relax or take a vacation. Our job doesn't really give us much time for that."

Anakin gave a chuckle, that brought a bright smile to his face.

I looked over at him. "What are you laughing at?"

"I would of never thought of you as much of a spontaneous explorer, Master. I always saw you as the teacher and mentor who focused more on the values of the Order than the beauty this universe holds. A man of his word and always going by the book. There's a lot of things I don't understand about you, Master. Why? Why hold it back? You never tell me anything."

"I'm not hiding anything though," I said high, and suddenly, which wasn't my intention at all.

He gave me a look of acknowledgment and a mischievous smile. I turned away. Oh, great. Now, he's gonna rat on me. He's setting a trap just like he was hoping. But don't think it is going to work, Anakin.

I cleared my throat, quickly changing the subject. "I see you began your lessons on learning more about the opposite sex."

"Oh, just hide under that denial, Master, like always. Why must you isolate yourself?"

"I'm not, Anakin." I paused. Anakin leaned forward, hoping to hear the words he wanted to hear. "Isolation is for people who lock themselves away and would rather be left alone. I'm not like that."

"And you seem to be that way," he mumbled.

"Well, there's one thing those people always lack."

Anakin moved closer to me. "And that would be?"

"Trust. And respect for other's wishes. You have to understand that, Anakin."

"I do, Master. But sometimes I don't think you understand me."

I looked at him with some curiosity. "I don't understand you? Explain, my young Padawan."

"Well, you never listen to me. Listen to what I have to say. You just don't seem to understand me like some of the other Masters do. Or even other Padawan. You act like everything you tell me has to be related to my training, but sometimes I'd like to have a friendly conversation. One that doesn't involve me at the receiving end of more training than I already have to deal with," His voice shook a little.

"Then how come you don't listen to me sometimes?" I interrupted him.

"I try, Master. I really do."

"Well, you should try harder or you may never understand why I train you the way I do."

Anakin's shoulders sunk. "Yes, Master." His voice was barely above a whisper.

To be continued.......