Chapter Five

It was 22:50 and Anakin was floating. It was their last night on Afauberac and the banquet had been spectacular. The image of Padmé in her evening gown was sharply emablazoned on Anakin's memory. He would never forget that moment-- the fantastic moment which began the best evening of his life-- the moment Captain Typho hurried to the back of their convoy and whispered,

"Senator Amidala has requested you to be her escort. Hurry, she's in the front car."

Anakin closed his eyes briefly, immersed in the memory... Padmé, taking his hand and stepping out of the head car in her spectacular dress... the way she smiled at him in front of those hundreds of people... the soft hues of her gown brightening her lovely face... and knowing the fact that she was sitting alone in her suite now, waiting for him! It was all he could do to remain in the passenger seat.

Obi-Wan was noticeably less pleased with the situation. He had seen the pair flirting casually all evening, dancing cheek to cheek, and more than once he'd been inclined to reprimand Anakin simply for the look on his face. There was passion in his eyes when he looked at her, passion that could easily lead to something-- inappropriate. He was not at all looking forward to the confrontation awaiting them in the suite.

Anakin moved quickly after they reached the room. He was locked in the fresher before Obi-Wan could take off his cloak. Several minutes later, the door flew open. Steam and the smell of rustic cologne streamed from the fresher, and Anakin emerged looking as apathetic as he could manage in front of his master. He'd gotten a lot of practice in hiding his feelings that evening. If Obi-Wan or any other Jedi in the vicinity had sensed half of his thoughts about Padmé that evening, he would have been dragged out of the ballroom by one ear and lectured for hours.

But the banquet had concluded, and he hadn't been caught-- yet. In the meantime, he'd kept his mouth shut and been extremely obedient, doing everything Obi-Wan asked of him with a smile, so that the Master would have no excuse to keep him away from Padmé or yell at him for not keeping his priorities straight. He grabbed his pillow and lightsaber, slipped into sandals and was about to leave when Obi-Wan's voice echoed through the chamber,

"Just a moment, padawan. I would like to speak with you."

Not wanting to be a part of any Jedi confrontation, Captain Typho slipped into the fresher before Anakin turned around. "What is it, Master?" Anakin asked.

Obi-Wan sighed and looked into the younger man's eyes. Anakin's gaze darkened. From the look on his Master's face, this conversation would be neither short nor pleasant.

"I suppose I'm-- checking up on you, Anakin." He took a breath. "You've spent every night here in the company of the Senator and I just wanted to-- remind you that--"

"Relax, Master." he interrupted with a chuckle. "I'm not going to go off and get her pregnant or anything."

"You certainly are not!" he answered soberly. "You shouldn't be alone with her at all. Jedi Knights are perhaps the most trusted breed in the galaxy, but-- Padmé is very important to a lot of people, and you--"

Anakin's eyes narrowed. "What's that supposed to mean?" He dropped his pillow on the floor. "I'm not anything important, so I'm not worthy of the Senator's company?"

"That isn't what I said. I'm saying that you are of no relation to her, and therefore though not unlawful, it is somewhat inappropriate that you should be in such intimate quarters with her. Not to mention the fact that you have pledged your life to the Jedi, and by doing that--"

"She enjoys my conversation and company! She obviously places high value on my friendship. It was me she requested for an escort tonight, not you or Captain Typho or anyone else."

"Anakin, calm yourself. There has been no wrong in your actions yet; you need not be defensive. I am merely advising you to be careful in your dealings with Padmé. She is under great scrutiny at all times and to remain in her company is to open yourself to things you were never aware existed. You must be cautious."

Anakin all but glared at his Master. "I am an adult, Master. Padmé means a great deal to me and I would never disrespect her. It's disappointing to hear that after being your apprentice for so long, you still don't trust me."

"Anakin, of course I trust you. This isn't a question of--"

"Then don't question my judgment." he snapped. "Just leave me alone. I know what I'm doing."

Obi-Wan sighed heavily as his headstrong padawan gathered his things and stormed out.

Captain Typho opened the fresher door as the front one slammed. He exchanged a look of confusion with the Jedi Master. "Is everything alright, Obi Wan?"

Obi-Wan barely met his eyes. Taking a deep breath, he sighed. "Perhaps I am overreacting, Captain. But I made a promise to Qui-Gon over a decade ago. Anakin is my responsibility alone-- and I fear I may be losing him."