I apologize this update wasn't as quick as the last ones. Wow, your reviews are so wonderful to read! Thank you ever so much for your kind words! To answer the question, how did I picture Obi-Wan's hair after he got his hair cut? I don't know if you've seen these pics or not, but I was thinking of Ewan at the ROTS premier or more recently, a GORGEOUS, BEAUTIFUL pic of Ewan in a blue-striped suit with a blue shirt. Sigh.

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Obi-Wan headed toward the stairs that led to the main entrance of the senate building. The Chancellor was standing at the base of the stairs being interviewed by several reporters. A reporter facing Obi-Wan's direction noticed his approach. She squinted as she tried to see who was heading their way. "Is that General Kenobi?"

The other reporters turned as one to look at the approaching Jedi. "That IS the General!" The Chancellor suddenly found himself standing alone, watching the group of reporters race over to Obi-Wan. His annoyance quickly turned to amusement as the reporters and cameramen flocked around the general. Palpatine couldn't help but notice the starry-eyed look in the eyes of the women reporters.

Obi-Wan pasted a polite smile on his face. He gave as many non-answers as he dared. "I apologize, ladies and gentlemen, but I don't want to be late for my meeting. If you'll excuse me…" He bowed to the group and quickly made his way to the steps. He again bowed slightly as he approached Palpatine. "Chancellor."

"Master Kenobi." The Chancellor walked beside Obi-Wan up the steps, giving him a sidelong glance. He decided to keep any comments about the young Master's appearance to himself. He would be joining Obi-Wan in the meeting with the oversight committee. He sat in on every meeting having to do with the war. "I'm sure you've heard of Anakin's achievements thus far on Fembrak."

"Yes, I have. I'm sure that it's just a glimpse of what he will accomplish in his time there."

Palpatine caught the note of pride in Obi-Wan's voice. He was amazed yet again at how easy it was to manipulate Anakin's thoughts and viewpoint. Anyone could see the affection and the pride Obi-Wan had for his former apprentice, but it seemed that Anakin himself was blind to it. All the better for me!

All eyes were on the Chancellor's bewitching companion as they entered the massive building and walked through the hallways. Palpatine could hear the comments of people as they passed. 'Is that General Kenobi?' 'He looks so young!' 'He's GORGEOUS!' 'Oh, my!' A part of him again wished he could turn Obi-Wan to the Dark Side. If he were on my side, I'd have the female half the galaxy in my pocket by proxy.

As the meeting with the oversight committee came to a close, the Chancellor watched as senators quickly swirled around Obi-Wan. He was genuinely fascinated by the young Master's charisma. Anakin commanded attention wherever he went, as well. But that attention was based on his renown – his actions on the battlefield and in his starfighter. The attention Obi-Wan always seemed to garner was…personal. People were attracted to HIM.

Palpatine enjoyed studying people, watching their reactions and interactions. He did this with a great deal of scorn most times. Most people were really quite pathetic in his view. Interesting, but pathetic. He did not watch this young man with any scorn. Even though the Jedi were his sworn enemy, he held a begrudging respect for Obi-Wan. He decided that he would accompany the young General out of the senate building. Undoubtedly, word had spread amongst the media of General Kenobi's transformation. It would be quite interesting to see how this humble man would react to the attention.

Obi-Wan was finally able to extricate himself from the attentive group of senators. All he wanted to do was get away from this building to a place of relative anonymity. He was extremely uncomfortable with his celebrity. He never liked being the center of attention. And this was way, way too much attention for his taste. Obi-wan noticed the Chancellor waiting for him.

"It seems things are progressing well against the Separatists. That is very good to hear." Palpatine gestured towards the door. "I have some personal errands that need attending. May I accompany you outside?"

"By all means." Obi-Wan opened the door for the Chancellor and paused as he stepped out into the hallway. He was suddenly the main attraction in a hallway lined with people. These people suddenly tried to look like there was actually a purpose for their presence – a purpose other than gawking at this very attractive General. Obi-Wan did his best to hide his discomfort as they started down the long hallway. Why me?

When they finally made it to the large transparisteel doors leading outside, Obi-Wan froze as he took in the spectacle outside. Congregated at the bottom of the stairs was one of the largest gatherings of journalists he'd ever seen. "You've got to be kidding me!"

Palpatine gazed at the crowd with barely veiled amusement. "My, my, my. You certainly know how to draw attention to yourself."

Obi-Wan gave him an exasperated look. "So it would seem." He tried to release his near-panic into the Force. Mace will NEVER let me live this down! Obi-Wan continued to stand there, trying to build up the courage to face one of his worst nightmares.

"Master Kenobi, you have faced down Sith, legions of Separatists, masses of droids, enemy fighters…What's a few journalists?"

Obi-Wan continued to stare out the door with a frown. "I think I'd rather face a legion of Separatists."

"Well, pretend that's what they are. Then just dive in!"

Obi-Wan turned to the Chancellor with an ironic smile. "And hack through them with my lightsaber?"

For the first time in he couldn't remember how long, Palpatine let out a genuine laugh. Now THAT I'd like to see! "That might be a bit drastic, but certainly effective." A sleek speeder car pulled right up to the doors. "Ah, there is my transport. I could give you a ride to the parking area."

Obi-Wan sighed heavily. "No, thank you. I'll face the music." He took a deep breath and stepped outside. "Well, good day, Chancellor."

"Good day to you, Master Kenobi."

Obi-Wan stepped around the transport and headed down the stairs. The journalists immediately saw who was heading their way and started running up the stairs. Padme, you are in so much trouble…

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Feeling exhausted and just a tad cranky, Obi-Wan entered into his apartment. He saw Padme getting up from the sofa. He slowly walked over to stand in front of her. He just stood there looking down at her, arms folded across his chest.

Padme fidgeted under that gaze. It wasn't that she was intimidated in any way. She was actually rather taken with how sexy the man looked when he was irritated. I have a one-track mind! "I'm sorry, Obi-Wan. I didn't even consider how the media might react to seeing you like this!"

Obi-Wan sat down on the sofa with a sigh. "Neither did I." He turned to Padme as she sat down beside him. "Next time, don't even bother trying to bat those doe eyes at me!"

Padme did exactly that. "Who me," she asked innocently.

"Yes, you!" Obi-Wan was trying very hard to keep the stern expression on his face.

Padme continued batting her eyes. "You know you want to forgive me."

The corner of his mouth twitched. Despite his best efforts, the laughter finally came out. "All right, I forgive you. Just stop that!" He pointed an accusing finger at her. "But you owe me big time!"

"Oh, do I? What do you have in mind?"

Obi-Wan lounged back against the cushion with a self-satisfied smile. "For starters, a HUGE gourmet dinner, topped off by a rich, disgustingly sweet dessert. French toast for breakfast tomorrow morning. Plenty of snacks, since I'm going to be home more."

Padme shook her head. "Is your appetite ever satisfied?"

A mischievous glint entered Obi-Wan's eyes. "That depends." He got up and went into the kitchen.

Padme would never have pegged Obi-Wan as a flirt before this time at the Temple! But she also realized that he probably only allowed himself to act like that with someone he knew well and trusted – someone with whom the boundaries were already set. A part of her couldn't help but be disappointed at that thought. In Obi-Wan's mind, the boundaries were set and he wouldn't cross them. Padme frowned at that. Why would I be disappointed by that? Aren't my boundaries with Obi-Wan set? If nothing else, at least she'd get to enjoy flirting with him.

Obi-Wan came back out with a half-finished glass of juice. "Where are the children?"

"They went with Yoda. The crechlings have free time right now, and he thought they would enjoy playing with other children."

"Oh, good." Obi-Wan went over to his desk to make sure he had all the equipment he would need to do his job from there. "When are you leaving for your meeting?"

"Oh, in about forty minutes. There are some leftovers from lunch in the refrigerator if you're hungry." Padme laughed. "Of course you're hungry! You're always hungry!"

"Not ALWAYS." Obi-Wan grinned wickedly. "I'm sure I won't be after the big meal you're going to feed me tonight."

"We'll see." Padme watched as he pulled up several maps on a very large screen. He then tested the hololink and frowned. Padme watched with an amused smile as he crawled underneath his desk to check the connections. "I saw the news right before you got home. You've become the top story."

Obi-Wan snorted. "Every blasted journalist on Coruscant had to have been at the senate building when I left. It took me over an hour to get to my speeder! Considering there's a war on, they are certainly hard up for headlines."

The door buzzer sounded off and Padme went to answer it. She chuckled as she heard Obi-Wan muttering complaints underneath the desk. "Master Windu, I mean, Mace, please come in."

"Go ahead and say it," Obi-Wan groused as he crawled out from under his desk.

Mace feigned innocence. "Say what?"

"You are going to milk this for all it's worth, aren't you?" Obi-Wan glared at his friend. "Just say what you're dying to say."

"Oh, you mean the fact that I predicted everything as it is coming topass? The media's feeding frenzy, bringing work in the senate building to a stand-still, pictures showing up all over the holonet…"

"Oh, geez!" Obi-Wan raked his fingers through his hair in frustration.

Mace stood there with a smug smile. "Well, at least you had all your clothes on this time."

Padme perked up. "What? What do you mean?"

"Nothing!" Obi-Wan shot Mace a warning look. "Don't you have someplace to be?"

Mace ignored Obi-Wan and turned to Padme. "A picture of Obi-Wan in his swimming shorts became quite the hot-selling item here in the Temple."

"Oh, really?" Padme glanced at her now-crimson friend. "Are there any still around?"

"Oh, yes. In fact, I still have one that I confiscated off one of the padawans. I figured I could use it for blackmail material someday. Would you like to see it?"

"I certainly would!"

"Are you two quite finished yet?" Obi-Wan looked rather irritated. "I'm glad you're…Oh, no."

Mace grinned from ear to ear as he went to open the door. Yoda soon floated in on his hoverpad, a knowing look on his face.

"Saw the news, I did…"

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Chancellor Palpatine went to answer his holocom, knowing full-well who would be calling. "Anakin, my boy. How are things on Fembrak?"

Anakin's mouth was held in a tight line. "They're fine. Have you seen the news today?"

Palpatine smiled inwardly. "I didn't have to. I was with Obi-Wan the entire time he was here at the senate building."

Anakin growled in frustration. "I wasn't even in the headlines for a full day! Here I come and save the capitol city on my first day here, and Obi-Wan bumps me out of the top spot because he shaved!"

"Yes, his looks seem to garner a lot of attention." Palpatine tapped his finger against his chin thoughtfully. "It does beg the question. Why did he shave his beard? Why now?"

Anakin suddenly looked pained. "You're not suggesting that he did it to impress Padme?" He hated the fact that the Chancellor had voiced his own question. But, surely Obi-Wan wouldn't do that!

"I'm not suggesting anything. I'm just a little curious."

"I can't tell you how many times I suggested he shave the stupid thing! But he would never do it."

"Maybe he wasn't properly motivated before." Palpatine wanted to let that thought fester in Anakin's mind. "This media attention Obi-Wan is receiving will be short-lived. You just keep being the hero there on Fembrak. You'll get your rightful spot back."

Anakin just nodded. He wasn't so sure. More than ever, he was plagued with worry over the time Obi-Wan and Padme were spending together. Half the known galaxy seemed to think Obi-Wan irresistible. Would Padme be an exception?