I'm so sorry it has taken me so long to update! But I made this a really long chapter to make up for it. A few of you commented on the fact that I'm not showing Obi-Wans thoughts and feelings as much as Padme's. That's intentional. I know, I'm mean and evil! But there is a reason. I will start to incorporate more of his thoughts and feelings as the story moves along. I promise! We'll get a bit more of a glimpse in this chapter. Enjoy!

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Padme entered back into the Temple early that evening, followed by C3PO. He was loaded down with bags of food. Padme had decided to buy the promised gourmet meal, rather than attempt to cook it herself. She had also stopped at her favorite grocer for odds and ends that the Temple commissary didn't carry. Padme had splurged quite a bit. She kept telling herself it was because she felt guilty about the consternation she had caused Obi-Wan. But she also realized that she just enjoyed spoiling Obi-Wan. She didn't really want to think about why.

As Padme entered the apartment, she saw that Obi-Wan was still hard at work at his desk. Devin was sitting in his lap, intent on a datapad. James and Kira were on the floor in front of the fireplace, playing a game. "Wow, it's so quiet in here!"

"Padme!" Kira and James jumped up to greet her and the golden droid. "What did you bring?"

Obi-Wan watched the droid set all the bags on the table. "Hello, 3PO."

"Good evening, Master Kenobi."

"Is this my gourmet meal?"

"It is. Along with some of your other requests." Padme smiled at Devin's obvious lack of desire to vacate Obi-Wan's lap. The boy always drank in the presence of the man he idolized. "Why don't you guys go wash your hands?"

Obi-Wan got up to survey the goodies Padme brought. "You cheated."

"You never said I had to cook the gourmet meal myself!"

Obi-Wan continued to rummage through the bags. "My goodness, this is quite a spread! You're going to spoil me rotten, aren't you?"

"Maybe."

"Not too much, though. I don't want to go soft in my old age."

Padme rolled her eyes. "Will you stop with that old age stuff? With that beard gone, you don't look much older than me!"

"Looks can be deceiving."

"Oh, hush!" Padme smacked Obi-Wan on the shoulder.

Obi-Wan sobered just a bit. "Thank you for all this, Padme."

"You're more than welcome."

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Padme walked out of the fresher in her sleep wear. The dinner was a huge success and C3PO was back at her apartment. She smiled as she watched Obi-Wan, who was back at work at his desk. This was her favorite time of the day – when the kids were in bed and she could spend some relaxed time alone with Obi-Wan. "It feels so good to be out of that constricting dress! You're a bad influence on me, Obi-Wan. I'm beginning to wish this could be appropriate senatorial garb."

Obi-Wan looked over from his computer screen with a smile. "Well, you can even make sleep wear look elegant."

Padme graced him with a huge, happy smile. "Thank you." Receiving a compliment from Obi-Wan was like receiving a rare treasure. It was always heartfelt and genuine. She walked over to him and peered over his shoulder at the map on his screen. "Haven't you worked enough for the day, General?"

"I'm almost done."

"How about some tea?"

"Sounds wonderful." Obi-Wan focused on completing these last minute preparations. He wanted to finish quickly and spend some time with Padme. Their time together had become precious to him. He pushed aside the niggling concern that he was forming an attachment to her, as well as the worry of what that would mean in his relationship with Anakin. He just wasn't ready to deal with those concerns yet.

Padme brought out two steaming mugs as Obi-Wan was shutting down his equipment. "How about a game of sabaac?"

"All right." Obi-Wan went over to the fireplace and turned it on. "But mind you that I only know how to play this for diplomatic reasons."

Padme sat down on the floor in front of the glowing fireplace. "Me too! What a coincidence!"

"Now that we've established our innocence in the area of gambling, what are the stakes?" A mischievous light danced in Obi-Wan's eyes.

A wicked grin crept up Padme's face. How about articles of clothing?

The insistent beeping of the holocom broke the moment. Obi-Wan got up with a sigh to answer it, having expected and even dreaded this call. "Hello, Anakin."

Padme held her breath. She hoped that Anakin didn't call to vent at Obi-Wan.

"Hello, Master." Anakin bit his lower lip, wondering how best to broach the subject. He decided to just get to it. "What prompted you to shave, Master?"

Obi-Wan rubbed the bridge of his nose, suddenly feeling tired. "Is that really important, Anakin?"

"Yes, actually, it is. I've been trying to get you to shave your bloody beard for years, but you never would!"

Padme knew Obi-Wan was trying to protect her, but she didn't want Anakin blaming him for this. She went over to the desk and sat down in the chair beside Obi-Wan. It wasn't a very big chair and it was a tight fit.

Anakin instantly brightened. "Padme!"

"Hi, Anakin."

Anakin's smile faded as he noticed that his wife and his former master were both in their sleep clothes. The fact that they were comfortable enough with each other to not think it a big deal was disconcerting. The sight of Padme sharing the chair with Obi-Wan, however, was enough to start his blood boiling. They were sitting EXTREMELY close to each other. Granted, if she wanted to be visible in the holocom along with Obi-Wan, she'd have to be close. But that didn't make it any easier to take.

Padme's brow furrowed at her husband's scowl. "I'm the reason Obi-Wan shaved."

"WHAT?" She's flat-out admitting it? Were these two playing him for a fool?

Obi-Wan didn't like where this was going. "Anakin…"

Padme placed her hand on his knee and shook her head. She wanted to handle this. "I asked him to shave and wouldn't let him alone until he finally agreed."

"Why?"

"Oh, come on, Anakin! You know how women are! When we get a bee in our bonnet about hair or fashion or decorating tips, we have to see it to fruition. I thought a clean-shaven look would be a nice change for Obi-Wan." That's partly true, anyway.

Could that really be all there was to it? Anakin thought of some overheard conversations between Padme and her handmaidens. They did tend to be insistent when they thought that someone should heed their advice – especially in the area of appearance. He had once referred to them as a pack of wolves – which, of course, did not receive a warm reception. "Yes, I know from firsthand experience how women are! Poor Master!"

"'Poor me' is right!" Obi-Wan glanced at Padme with a grin. He was working to keep his concentration on the conversation. He was all too aware that he and Padme were pressed together from shoulder to knee. It was affecting him more than he would ever care to admit.

"How about you, Anakin? How about cutting your hair?" Padme was desperately trying to distract herself. She felt like every nerve ending in her body was now located on the side touching Obi-Wan. Her body was obviously wanting her to forget the boundaries she had set where Obi-Wan was concerned.

"No way, Padme! Unlike Obi-Wan, I am not a big softie." Anakin buried his jealousy and insecurity. He didn't want them to see it. He'd play the unconcerned husband and friend for now.

Obi-Wan sniffed. "I am NOT a softie!"

"Oh, yes you are!" This from both Padme and Anakin.

"Is this Gang Up on Obi-Wan Day?"

Padme smiled gently at Obi-Wan. "Apparently."

Anakin couldn't take much more of this! They were entirely too affectionate with each other. Why were they doing this to him? He was beginning to think that the Chancellor's suspicions about his wife and Obi-Wan had merit. But there was one more question he had to ask. "Master, didn't you realize that the media would…"

"No, Anakin, I didn't." Obi-Wan ran his fingers through his hair. Why is it he always starting feeling tired when talking with Anakin?

Anakin saw the sincerity in Obi-Wan's eyes. His master's inability or unwillingness to see his effect on others was maddening! How could someone be that naive? "For the life of me, I will never understand you! Surely you can't be that humble! Or are you just blind?"

"Anakin!" Padme was horrified by the lack of respect in her husband's voice. She turned to the now-tense man beside her. His eyes had darkened a shade and his face was a stoic mask.

Obi-Wan had been teased mercilessly the entire day and found that most of his vast amounts of patience had been exhausted. "You're right, Anakin. If you don't understand me after all these years, you probably never will. And I owe you no explanations. Goodnight." He clicked off the holocom and went out onto the balcony. It was quite chilly outside, but he really needed the crisp air to help clear his head. He also needed to release his anger into the Force.

Padme watched the abrupt departure of her friend. Obi-Wan had dealt with all the media attention and the ensuing teasing with more grace and aplomb than she could ever hope to achieve. But even Obi-Wan Kenobi had his limits. She got up and looked at the Jedi Master, debating on whether or not she should disturb him.

Padme felt drawn towards the door to the balcony. She did need to talk with Obi-Wan. Upon opening the door, she inhaled sharply as she was hit by the cold wind outside. She walked toward him and paused. She didn't say anything yet, giving him a chance to acknowledge her presence.

Obi-Wan kept his eyes fixed on the glittering lights of the buildings nearby. "I apologize for not giving you the opportunity to say goodbye before ending the call."

Padme came to stand right next to him at the balcony wall. "Don't apologize. I wouldn't have had anything nice to say to him anyway." She tried to fight the chills running through her. Enjoying, at least, the warmth of his arm touching hers. "I'm so sorry for all this. This all started because of my stupid request for you to shave!"

Obi-Wan turned his full gaze to Padme. "Please don't blame yourself. You had no way of knowing what would happen. Though by consensus, it seems I should have."

"No, you couldn't have possibly known! How could anyone anticipate that kind of response? But the way you are, the way you handle things, is exactly what makes you so special. If any other man had your looks and your intelligence, Jedi or no, he would have a huge ego and would use those attributes to his own personal advantage!"

"My looks and my intelligence? I am NOT any better..."

"Yes, you are." Padme said this with determination in her voice. "The fact that you don't know this just makes you that much more attractive." She reached over took his hand, lacing her fingers with his. "We were all pretty hard on you today. But the way you handled everything was amazing."

Obi-Wan smiled wryly. "You mean instead of letting loose in a fit of rage?"

Padme snorted. "Yeah, like Anakin."

Obi-Wan sighed heavily as he turned back to the Coruscant skyline. "Anakin."

Padme's teeth were starting to chatter. "Um, do you mind if we continue this discussion inside? I'm beginning to turn into an icicle."

Obi-Wan chuckled. "You're right. Let's get you inside and by the fireplace."

Padme sat down by the fireplace and worked to get her hands and feet thawed out. She paused as Obi-Wan draped a blanket over her shoulders. She gave him a grateful smile. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Obi-Wan sat down next to her and stared pensively into the fire. "He resents me." It was a simple statement, not a question.

Padme didn't want to hurt Obi-Wan, but knew she had to tell him the truth. "Yes."

"Why?" Obi-Wan turned his searching gaze to her. "Has he told you?"

"I think the real reason he resents you is one that he has not voiced to me, nor do I think he ever would. But in watching him and the two of you together these last couple of years, I know that what I'm seeing is true." Padme turned herself more towards Obi-Wan. "He is dependent on you. You are his anchor and his rock. When he's not with you, he feels…lost. He needs you, and he hates that need."

Obi-Wan tried to absorb her words. "But he's always been so independent! He's always chafed at having to follow my commands."

"I think more than anything that he's chafed at his own dependency. I think he acts rebelliously in order to try to prove to himself that he IS independent. Whenever he isn't with you, he starts to question his destiny, his life, his everything. When he's with you, he has a purpose – a reminder of who he is and why he's doing what he's doing."

"He was with me on that last mission for over a month! And he was and is more moody and uncentered than ever!"

"Yes, but he complained to me that he didn't actually have much time to spend with you. He said you were always off doing 'General stuff', as he put it, or spending time with the children."

"If this is true, Padme, then it really worries me. A Jedi should not be that dependent upon another. I can't always be with him. We can't always be on assignment together. If I should die, he has to be able to let go and continue on."

That last sentence hit Padme like a runaway speeder. The thought of Obi-Wan dying pierced her heart! What would Anakin do if Obi-Wan died? What would I do?

Obi-Wan saw the pained looked that came across Padme's face. "Padme?" He took hold of her hand. "What is it?"

"It's…it's nothing." Padme gave him a wan smile. "I was just thinking. But you're right to be worried Obi-Wan. I'm worried about him, too."

Padme's words rang true. Obi-Wan didn't know why he hadn't seen this in Anakin himself. Maybe I just don't see the things that I don't want to see. "That begs the question, how do I wean him from his dependency?"

Padme sighed heavily, still holding onto Obi-Wan's hand. "I don't know if you can. In order for Anakin to be helped, he would first have to be willing to admit that he has a problem. And I'm not sure that his pride would ever allow him to do that. If YOU bring it up, it will only make him resent you more."

"That's comforting."

"There's nothing that anyone can do to force him to acknowledge his weaknesses and deal with them. It's up to Anakin and Anakin alone."

Obi-Wan was even more worried than he let on to Padme. All of his old insecurities of being unequal to the task of training the Chosen One came flooding back. Yoda should have trained him. I should have broken my promise to Qui-Gon for Anakin's own good. Once again, it felt like the weight of the galaxy was resting on his shoulders. Suddenly, he felt exhausted.