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By afternoon, the pair had crisscrossed nearly the entire Temple, skimming the library and map room, stopping in corridors to study the framed pieces of art usually ignored in the faster pace of Jed life.

It was when they were quietly admiring a work of thick, blunt strokes that formed a colorful cubist perspective of an ancient kata that Obi-Wan and Luminara met with a slight interruption.

Obi-Wan was focusing intently on the painting, narrowing his eyes on the raised acrylic-hoping it would be enough to keep them from straying to where they desperately wanted to look. There was a tantalizing edge to his battle, for in all honesty, he wished for his guard to drop, even for a moment. Long enough to glimpse the smooth skin, rich, dark lips and utterly absorbing eyes. It was a serene scene more spellbinding than whatever might be captured on canvas and surely could not be held in place.

So he stared at the figure drawn out in bright red, orange, plum. He fixed his eyes on the palate, hardly noticing when the lines began to meld, as though rain had saturated the world of the long-dead warrior. Yes. He would concentrate on shocking hue in one big, hazed jumble.

But then he was turning his head to face Master Unduli, his mouth opening slightly, although he had nothing to say. Nothing at all.

Luminara's eyes knit with his for what seemed an endless moment, then she smiled. "What do you think?"

Obi-Wan was absolutely, positively certain he had struggled through adolescence, and every embarrassing catastrophe during which. He was no longer the gawky teenager fumbling through conversation with a desirable girl. But here he was, an esteemed member of the Jedi Order, struck dumb by someone he was familiar with, someone he respected! When he spoke, he was surprised his voice didn't suffer some sort of prepubescent crack, "It's unexpected."

Luminara looked at him, the finger that had been resting on her chin falling absently away.

Then, a small bundle hurdled between them, a mass of giggles and breathless glee.

The two Jedi stared down with open amusement at the toddler, obviously an escapee from the crèche. And not trained, as of yet, in the hallowed Jedi art of stealth.

"Very unexpected." Luminara laughed, lifting the child into her arms. The fugitive was no more than two standard years, brown eyed with a cap of clean chestnut hair. The Master ran her hand through the perfect locks. "Where were you off to, little one?"

The boy didn't reply, covering his eyes with two grubby hands.

"Well," Obi-Wan chuckled, "He's obviously observing his right to remain silent."

Luminara nodded, laying her thumb against the tiny cheek. "Oh. This is most unfortunate."

Obi-Wan was content to watch her interactions with the youngling, who seemed to know instinctively he could trust the woman who cradled him so adoringly. "What?"

"I think I'm already in love."

They returned the boy to his frazzled crèche Master, then walked down a spacious hallway, overhead windows providing view of hot, burnished sunset.

Two shadows moved along the floor, stretched out in the hour of dusk.

Luminara stopped suddenly, her cerulean eyes dashing side to side. But they were alone.

Obi-Wan watched this with a breath held captive in his throat. "Luminara…"

"You know, Obi-Wan, as Masters, we rarely get the chance to see our Padawans as children. Even Anakin, beginning his apprenticeship so young--He wasn't a child, was he?"

Obi-Wan slowly shook his head. "No," Barely a murmur, "There was innocence, but not that of a typical child."

Luminara nodded, lashes lowering to stripe her eyes. "That little boy…the Jedi haven't drilled that out of him yet. And right now, it's magic for him. Everything's a source of wonder for that child." She exhaled. "I wish that I had been able to…I don't know…see Barriss, if only for a second, so young."

Obi-Wan understood instantly, and in the quiet interval of day's end and night's birth, he felt a stronger affinity to Luminara Unduli than ever before. "I know. Sometimes I think that if I had known Anakin longer, my role in his life would feel more natural." A sad smile crossed his face. "When we were walking with the child, I almost imagined-." But then, he shook his head, and the words died on slightly trembling lips.

Luminara drew closer, and for a moment, Obi-Wan thought she was dancing at the fringe of rebellion.

Unforgivable-because it would have been unforgettable.

Instead, she embraced him, her warm body pressed against his for a handful of seconds. Obi-Wan's eyes were already sealed when she whispered near his ear, "I thought it too."

And then she pulled away, a nervous smile at her mouth. "It's nearly evening meal."

"Ah yes," Obi-Wan had to clear his throat, "And I must meet my Padawan upon his return."

"Then I suppose this is goodbye." Luminara folded her hands. "For today. But would you tell your young apprentice something for me?"

"Sure."

A mischievous sparkle lit her grin. "Tell him to watch for juice in his Master's beard. Wouldn't want the poor kid to be embarrassed when dining in public."

Obi-Wan laughed. "I will."

In unison, without another word, they bowed.

Luminara strode away with her usual fluidness. Obi-Wan was held steadfast in his place until her form had completely disappeared into the distance.

Anakin was jumping with one foot around the small kitchen, his braid whipping up to slap him in the face.

The crackling sounds of roasting meat and vegetables was engulfed by the boy's incessant narrative of his day's list of events.

Obi-Wan listened to every word, breaking into the slurry only to correct the youth's sometimes 'colorful' use of dialogue.

After the table was set and the meal served, Anakin paused long enough to swallow huge bites of the fresh, hot food. With a smear of sauce on his face, "What did you do all day?"

"Without you?" Obi-Wan smiled, betraying nothing in the serene gleam of his eyes, "I moped. I was a miserable sack."

"Oh." The boy's good-natured pleasure at the assessment was evident. Anakin studied his mentor. "Master?"

"Hm?"

"You do know there's purple in your beard, right?"

The End.