Hello, all! Thank you so much for your continued interest and your wonderful reviews! I just love reading them!

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Obi-Wan entered his apartment that evening with his hands full. Right behind him was a droid with its arms full as well. "Obi-Wan!" The children ran over to him, huge smiles lighting up their faces.

"Hello, children." Obi-Wan put his boxes on the desk. He turned to the droid waiting patiently behind him. "Just put those in the kitchen, please." He turned back to the kids as the droid quietly obeyed. "Did you have a nice day with Padme?"

Devin gave him a shy smile. "Yes."

Obi-Wan went and sat down on the sofa. "Well, why don't you come here and tell me about it." He didn't have to say it twice. Devin and Kira raced to see who could get to his lap first. Devin won and looked smugly over at Kira, who had to settle for sitting next to Obi-Wan. James settled himself on the other side.

Padme, who had been in the kitchen making dinner, was now watching the scene from the doorway. She watched with a smile as James animatedly told Obi-Wan about the day's activities. Obi-Wan was so good with the children. They had been waiting rather impatiently for him to get home. Padme walked out into the living area, still smiling. "And how was your day?"

Obi-Wan looked up and smiled. "Busy. I brought some groceries from the Temple commissary. I noticed this morning that my cupboards were rather bare. Which reminds me…" He looked at the children. "I brought some things for you as well."

Devin eagerly twisted around to face Obi-Wan. "What did ya bring?"

"Come on and I'll show you." Obi-Wan got up off the sofa after Devin hopped out of his lap. He went over to the boxes on his desk. "Let's see. I have some games." He pulled out several board games. "I have many different stories you can read." He set the datapads on the game boxes. "Here are some educational hologames." He set the disks down. "And James?"

The boy looked at Obi-Wan expectantly. "Yes, sir?"

"I brought you some study materials that kids your age here at the Temple are currently working on." James was a bright boy and was quite eager to learn. Obi-Wan thought that he'd probably enjoy the mental stimulation. "Maybe after dinner we can go over some of it."

"Thank you, Obi-Wan!" James was grinning from ear to ear. "I'd love that!"

Kira tugged on Obi-Wan's tunic. "Thank you for the games." She stared up at her protector with a happy smile.

Devin nodded his head quickly. "Yes, thank you!"

"You're very welcome. I'm going to go put the groceries away. I'll be right back."

Padme followed Obi-Wan into the kitchen. "You just made their day."

Obi-Wan started unpacking the boxes and putting the items away. "I kind of figured they could use some stimulation. This apartment isn't exactly geared for children."

Padme leaned against the counter as she watched him. "I know they'll enjoy having something to keep them occupied, but that's not what I meant." Obi-Wan paused from his work and focused on her. "They are thrilled because you thought of them, despite the business of your day. You showed them that you care. THAT made their day, Obi-Wan."

Obi-Wan blushed a bit. "It's nothing major. I mean, I'm not so busy that I can't do something as simple as pick up some games."

Padme shook her head at his infamous modesty. "Sometimes the little gestures mean the most." Padme felt a twinge of…what? Longing? Anakin was not big on the little things. Sometimes it felt like he was so inwardly focused that he couldn't spare a thought for others, not even for his own wife.

Obi-Wan hesitantly held up a round box to Padme. "Um, these are for you. I've heard that you're quite the chocaholic." He gave her an embarrassed smile.

Little things like that. Padme took the box from his hand. "Thank you, Obi-Wan." She studied him covertly as she opened the lid. That embarrassed smile of his was so endearing! She took a piece of chocolate out of the box and popped it in her mouth. "Umm. It's wonderful!" The buzzer on the stove then screamed for her attention. "Dinner should be ready." She put her box of chocolates on the counter, away from the hot stove.

Obi-Wan came up beside Padme as she removed the casserole dish from the oven and set it on the stovetop. He leaned over to see what she had made. "So what am I in for?"

Padme turned to throw out a return barb, but lost the words when she found her face mere inches from Obi-Wan's. She looked into those beautiful blue eyes, now brimming with mischievous glee and at his wicked smile. Her heart sped up. It was pounding so loudly, she wondered if he could hear it. Breathe, Padme. Calm down and say something! "An empty stomach, if you keep making cracks like that!"

To Padme's relief and dismay, Obi-Wan moved away to finish putting away the groceries. If possible, his grin was even bigger. "I'll rephrase the question. What wonderful meal do I have to look forward to?"

"Hmph. That's better. We're having chicken and broccoli casserole along with some dinner rolls. Now that you've brought home the ingredients, how would you like to throw together a salad?"

"I think I can handle that." Obi-Wan set about chopping up some carrots and tomatoes while Padme got the rolls out of the warmer. He had to admit that he was enjoying the feel of this – working side by side with Padme in the kitchen. Obi-Wan could hear the children laughing in the other room. He wondered to himself, Is this what it feels like to have a family?

Padme's thoughts were following a similar line. She smiled to herself as she watched Obi-Wan making the salad. This feels really nice. Padme didn't think she would feel this at home here – at least, not this quickly. As she went to set the table, a wistful feeling fell over her again. What is the matter with me?

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Anakin paused before hitting the buzzer at Obi-Wan's door. Feelings of happiness and comfort were emanating from the apartment. He strained his ears when he heard what sounded to be laughter coming from inside. If he had been inside, he would have heard Obi-Wan regaling Padme and the children with some tales of Obi-Wan's childhood here at the Temple.

Jealousy sprouted in Anakin's mind. Was Padme enjoying Obi-Wan's company more than his? Did Obi-Wan enjoy the company of those kids more than his? Was Obi-Wan enjoying his time with Padme too much? Anakin was also struck with a feeling of sadness. Why don't I ever feel that kind of peace and happiness? He locked up his mental shielding as he hesitantly pushed the buzzer.

The door opened to reveal his smiling former master. "Anakin! How would you like to join us for dinner?"

Anakin took in the scene. Padme looked very relaxed and happy. The children, on the other hand, looked like their dinner had been interrupted by an incarnation of the Dark Side itself. The younger kids had their heads down and their arms folded across their chests. The older boy was shooting daggers at him with his eyes.

Padme glanced at the children, noting the sharp change in disposition. "Yes, please do."

"Um, no thank you. I've already had dinner. Master, I just wanted to say goodbye to you tonight, in case I don't get the chance tomorrow morning. I'm leaving quite early."

Obi-Wan frowned slightly. "Well, surely you can stay for a little while. You probably won't be back to Coruscant for quite some time."

"I wish I could, but I have some last-minute things I need to do." Anakin could see the disappointment in Obi-Wan's eyes. That made him feel a bit better. His master did at least want to spend some time with him.

"In that case…" Obi-Wan put out his hand.

Anakin grasped the open hand. This was going to be the first time since he had met Obi-Wan that he would be separated from him for such an extended period of time. Anakin was already starting to feel a void. There would be no Team this time. He would be alone.

"May the Force be with you, Anakin." Obi-Wan smiled warmly at him. He was going to miss the young man who had become such a big part of his life.

"And with you, Master." He finally let go of Obi-Wan's hand and glanced at Padme. "Do you mind if I borrow the senator for a moment?"

"Go right ahead."

Padme followed Anakin out into the hallway. When the door closed, Anakin looked down at her intensely. "Can you get away for a while?"

Padme glanced around to be sure no one else was nearby. "No, Anakin. Obi-Wan already suspects something's going on between us. The worst thing we could do would be to broadcast it like that. Besides, Obi-Wan wanted to spend some time with you tonight. It wouldn't be fair for you to turn around and spend time with me – especially after you told him you had things to do."

"I said that with the hopes that you would spend the evening with me. I've had so little time with you!" Anakin couldn't keep the despair out of his voice.

Padme put her hand on his arm. "I know. I wish it could be different, but it can't. We're in the Temple, Anakin! I'm not going to do anything to hurt your standing as a Jedi."

Anakin laughed bitterly. "What standing as a Jedi? The Council would be only too happy to have an excuse to get rid of me, especially Master Windu."

Padme's eyes widened. "Anakin! Obi-Wan is on the Council! He wants you to succeed as much as I do, probably more so!"

"Maybe Obi-Wan does, but he's probably the only one."

Padme couldn't believe what she was hearing. "MAYBE? Anakin, where is this coming from?"

Anakin hissed his breath out between his teeth. "Nowhere. Never mind. I wanted to spend some time with you before I left, but I guess that's not going to happen."

Padme squeezed his arm as he turned to leave. "Please don't leave this way. It isn't that I don't want to spend time with you. It just isn't possible! We have to be careful, Anakin!"

Anakin glared at Padme. "I'm tired of being careful! I'm tired of having to conform to the confines of the Jedi Code!"

Padme was stunned and irritated by his statement. "How is marrying me conforming to the Code?"

Anakin's eyes hardened. He stared at her a moment. "Goodbye, Wife." He said the last word like a curse before stalking off down the hall.

Padme leaned against the wall, trying to blink back her tears. She felt like she was caught in a downward spiral. How can he be so cold to me? Is this love? Is this what a marriage is supposed to be? Padme thought about her parents. They had such a strong marriage. They had been best friends before they were married. She couldn't imagine her father ever talking to her mother in such a way.

Padme took in a shaky breath. She had to reign in her emotions before going back into the apartment. She wiped away her tears and tried to put on the appearance of the in-control senator.

Obi-Wan tried not to be obvious in his perusal as Padme came back into the apartment and reclaimed her place at the table. Despite her efforts to hide it, he could tell that she had been crying. He had sensed the disappointment and then the anger in Anakin. Their goodbye had obviously not been a pleasant one. Obi-Wan felt a bit guilty. It was his asking Padme to watch the kids that was causing all this tension.

Obi-Wan tried to fill the uncomfortable silence with small talk with the children. But everyone was subdued. It didn't take long to finish the meal and everyone quickly excused themselves from the table. Padme busied herself by clearing the dishes. Obi-Wan quietly helped her. "You made dinner, Padme. I'll do the dishes."

Padme continued to busy herself with rinsing off the dishes in the sink. "No, I can do them. You're busy all day long with so many different things. You shouldn't have to work when you get home as well."

Obi-Wan came up beside her and watched her. "I don't mind." Padme was quite good at hiding her emotions, but he knew her well enough to know that she was really hurting. He hated to see her like this.

Padme was trying REALLY hard to keep her emotions hidden. Tears kept trying to flow, but she stopped them through sheer force of will. Blast! Why did Obi-Wan have to be so sweet? He was making it rather difficult to not cry! But when he placed his hand upon her shoulder and she turned to see the worry and compassion in his eyes, the dam broke.

Obi-Wan pulled Padme into a hug as she cried. He stroked her hair, trying to lend her some comfort. Anakin sure does have a way with people! He was worried about Anakin's emotional state. Anakin was lashing out more and more often. Obi-Wan turned his attention back to the woman in his arms. After a while, Padme's tears stopped, but she stayed where she was.

Padme was a bit embarrassed by her outburst, but found so much comfort in Obi-Wan's embrace that she found it hard to leave. She could hear and feel the beating of his heart. Its lulling rhythm helped to ease her nerves. She inhaled deeply and found that Obi-Wan smelled wonderful! Even after a long day, he still smelled clean. And there was a hint of some kind of spicy cologne. The mixture was thoroughly masculine and quite…intoxicating. She needed to move away NOW!

As Padme pulled away, she saw the care and the concern in the depths of his blue eyes. How very different those eyes were from the cold, hard eyes of her husband when he left. "I'm sorry, Obi-Wan."

"You have nothing to be sorry for, Padme." Obi-Wan wiped the last of her tears away with his thumb. "Unless it's leaving me with a soaking wet tunic."

Padme couldn't help but laugh, though it came out sounding more like a hiccup. Leave it to Obi-Wan to find a way to make her smile.

Obi-Wan smiled at her. "We'll talk after the children go to bed, alright?"

"Alright."

The children crept away from the doorway to the kitchen. Anakin had always been mean to them. Anakin had said horrible things to Obi-Wan, hurting him deeply. And now, Anakin had made Padme cry. As far as they were concerned, Anakin was Sith spawn!