Disclaimer: I'm just a simple woman trying to make her way in the galaxy. Thanks to George Lucas for creating this little universe for me to play in.

"Maybe Obi-Wan can help us."
"No, we don't need his help…"

She was frightened. Frightened that her whole world had come crashing down on her. What should have been the happiest time of Padmé Amidala Skywalker's life instead threatened to destabilize the precarious balance that her life, her love, depended upon.

She inhaled, and thought of the one person who could help her and her husband.

"Maybe Obi-Wan can help us," she offered hopefully.

A dark look crossed her husband's face. Anakin Skywalker appeared lost in his thoughts for some time, longer than he should have been.

"How can I?" he asked. Obi-Wan would be so disappointed in him, he thought to himself. The only person who mattered nearly as much to him as Padmé was his Master, Obi-Wan Kenobi. Well, now third on his list, now that Padmé and he were expecting a child.

Obi-Wan, I've let you down, he thought. But then again, I've let you down so many times in the past three years. But none of that mattered with Padmé in his life.

Padmé was looking at him inquisitively, and he realized that he hadn't spoken again. He realized for the first time how frightened her deep, brown eyes were. Probably as frightened as mine are, he thought.

"Much fear you have in you," said a little voice in his brain. Anakin scowled again. He'd never get Master Yoda out of his head.

"If we do go to Obi-Wan," he finally said, "you do know what this means." She nodded silently, but her chocolate eyes warmed significantly, and the lines around them relaxed.

"Let's go back to bed," Anakin sighed. "I'm going to need my rest for tomorrow."

Talking to Master Yoda about his visions hadn't helped. He instead rushed to meet Obi-Wan, who was gazing at some sort of holographic battle plan.

"You're late," Obi-Wan stated simply.

"I got held up," Anakin replied breathlessly. "I have no excuse." Obi-Wan always knew how to make him feel exactly 9 years old again.

After a long silence, he finally spoke. "Master, there is something I have to tell you."

Obi-Wan glanced back at Anakin casually, without speaking. He knew his former Padawan would eventually spit out what was on his mind.

"Master," Anakin said, trailing off. "I love her."

The words were choked, desperate. The tightness that had been building in his chest continued to worsen, threatening to shut off his supply of air. "And she loves me too," he finished, quietly.

Obi-Wan stood perfectly still, not meeting Anakin's eyes. For what seemed like an eternity, he did not speak. "I know, my young Padawan," he finally said.

Anakin let out a breath that he didn't know he had been holding. "But you know that attachment is forbidden, Anakin," Obi-Wan continued. "It is not the Jedi way."

Anakin should have known that was coming. Obi-Wan always adhered to the Code. While Anakin often resented it, he knew he also respected Obi-Wan for it. He would never be as self-disciplined as his former Master. Anakin wanted nothing more than to be as good as Obi-Wan, but he always fell short. Just like I'm not fit to be a Jedi, he thought.

"Anakin," Obi-Wan said quietly. "Control your feelings. I'm sure the Younglings can feel your despair right now."

Anakin felt his knees buckle, and one of them hit the floor. It probably hurt, but he was beyond physical pain. He felt like he was suffocating again. He never knew it would be so hard to admit to Obi-Wan that he'd failed him. "I'm so sorry," he whispered. "I failed you, after everything you've done for me."

Obi-Wan was at his side almost instantaneously, placing one hand on his shoulder, and trying to help him up with the other. "Anakin, you must control yourself!" he said urgently. Anakin began to breathe in quick, short, whistling breaths. He was panicking.

Obi-Wan hauled him up and began to lead him down the hallway. Seeing Master Windu far down the hall, Obi-Wan quickly turned and headed them into the nearest classroom. Once he slapped the door panel shut, he dumped Anakin in a soft, low chair.

"I have to leave the Order," Anakin managed. "I can't be a Jedi any longer."

Obi-Wan brought himself to Anakin's level. "Anakin, the Order needs you. You are the Chosen One!" he said forcefully.

"NO!" Anakin shouted. It was like losing his mother all over again. It was like once again realizing what he'd done to the tribe of Tusken Raiders. He lost his last edge of control. "She needs me! Our child needs me!"

If not for Obi-Wan's years of Jedi training, he would have reeled backward from the force of Anakin's words. But his heart sank to his very toes. There would be no saving Anakin now. Feelings for another person, the Council might punish slightly, but ignore for the sake of the war. But for Anakin to have gone this far meant no coming back. The Council could not ignore this obvious and deliberate breach of the Jedi Code. If he did not leave himself, he would be removed.

Obi-Wan slowly realized that Anakin was sobbing into his hands, his one mechanical arm glistening in the daylight streaming through the windows overlooking the Coruscanti skyline. "Help us, Obi-Wan," he choked between streams of tears. "You're our only hope."

He slowly bent over Anakin and placed his hands on his shoulders, touching his Padawan's forehead to his. "We'll think of something, my young friend. We'll think of something."

What they would do, Obi-Wan had no clue.