Author's note: Okay, I know it has been ages since I posted a new chapter, but I thought I would at least try to finish it. I really want to get going on this story. I wrote this chapter a long time ago, but I never got around to putting it up here. I hope you enjoy what I have written. If anyone has any suggestions or thoughts on the story please let me know.
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Later that night Obi-wan returned to Padme's apartment. He seemed tired and slightly distracted. Anakin was the first to speak.
"Is everything okay with the Council, Master? You were gone a very long time."
"Well, Anakin that's hard to answer. Things are very complicated right now. The Separatist movement seems to gain more supporters everyday and there appears to be more dissention in the Senate everyday. The council isn't sure how to handle it."
"Why did it take so long to discuss that?"
"Well, Anakin. I had to make some arrangements after my meeting with the council."
"Arrangements for what?"
"The Council has decided that they would like for me to investigate to try to find out who is trying to kill Padme. They think that whoever is responsible may be somehow connected to the senators who are for the formation of the Republic Army. Padme is the leader of those opposed to the Army Creation Act."
"That could be possible Master, but Padme told me earlier today that she thinks Count Dooku is somehow involved."
"I guess we will find out soon enough," Obi-wan replied.
"Wait a minute, If you are going to be investigating who is trying to kill Padme, who is going to look after her?"
"Well, the Council believes that you should continue to look after her. They have even suggested that you and her go to Naboo for the time being."
"A mission on my own?"
"I suppose you could call it that. I told them I really didn't think you were ready, but they insisted."
"How can you not think I'm ready?"
"Well, you just don't quite have the patience that I wish you would have sometimes."
"I don't really agree with you Master, I am working on being more patient. I am trying."
"All they told me and the other Jedi present for the meeting was that they wanted us to be cautious right now and to not let our guard down and to make sure that our padawans were prepared for the danger the situation might present. "
"When are Padme and I suppose to leave for Naboo?"
"The Council would like you to leave sometime tommorrow, earlier rather than later."
"Okay, but I think we might have a hard time getting her to leave. The vote on the Army Creation Act is in two days. She would definitely have to miss it. That is something I know she would not want to do."
"Well, she will just have to accept it, the Council only has her safety in mind. They have Chancellor Palpatine ready to speak with her to get her to leave if we cannot."
"Well, I'm sure he will be able to convince her if no one else can."
"I hope so," Obi-wan replied.
Anakin turned as if to leave the room.
"Anakin, wait," Obi-wan said, "I would like to continue our conversation from this morning concerning your feelings for Padme."
"Oh great, this is going to be a long night."
"Oh, no, not at all. I just want you to promise me you won't let you feelings for her to affect the job you have been entrusted with."
"Well, I guess so. Although I can't promise that I won't confess everything to her."
"Anakin, the Council has trusted you with an important mission that they feel you can handle. They expect you to behave entirely in a professional manner. They Council would not be pleased if you told Senator Amidala the extent of your feelings."
"As I said before, Master, I can't promise anything."
"Well, I hope you can keep quiet about them for her sake."
"How is my keeping these feelings to myself for her own good?"
"Because, she is under a great deal of stress right now. Your confession could make her even more uncomfortable than she already is, not to mention the fact that nothing could ever come of it. You can't have that kind of relationship with anyone."
"I guess you may be right."
"Good, at least we agree on one thing. Why don't you go to bed and I will stand guard for a while."
"Okay, Master. Goodnight"
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Padme couldn't sleep. She had mulled over everything Anakin has told her over dinner and was still uncertain about what Anakin had
said. He had seemed to have no problem with obviously breaking the Council's rules. What was more frustrating to Padme were the feelings
he seemed to have for her. We haven't seen each other in years. How can he be so certain of his feelings? But maybeI am just overeacting,
assuming something that isn't even true. Despite all the things going on with Anakin, something else was bothering Padme even more. How
could Chancellor Palpatine help Anakin defy the Jedi Council? The things that he said to Anakin seemed totally unlike him. He had never
condoned breaking any rules as before as far as Padme knew. I need to ask Chancellor Palpatine about this the next time I see him, perhaps
Anakin is just mis-quoting what the Chancellor said or reading more into it then there really is.
Padme turned onto her side and curled up in her blankets, deciding it was time to put everything else out of her mind and try to actually get some sleep. She did need to get up early in the morning. Just like every other day.
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Well, that's it for now. Hopefully I will get around to writing some more of this soon. Thanks for reading.