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Once Anakin was gone, Obi-Wan busied himself catching up on the progress being made on the base construction. It wasn't too long before he was falling asleep over his datapad. Frustrated, Obi-Wan decided he might as well go to bed. However, there was one thing he needed to do before going to sleep.
Obi-Wan clicked on his holocom and called Padme. Her joyous face lightened his mood considerably. "Hi, Padme."
"Oh, I'm so glad you called! I've missed you." Padme had been anxious all evening, hoping against hope that Obi-Wan would call.
"I've missed you, too." Obi-Wan drank in the beauty of her face. Just being able to talk with her again made him feel better.
"How was your reunion with Anakin?"
"It's good to be back with him. I've missed his company." Obi-Wan hesitated.
"But?"
"The words you said to me about," Obi-Wan lowered his voice, "Anakin's dependence on me are being reinforced. He doesn't want to take the leave I secured for him right now because he's afraid that I'll take on too much while he's gone. He's also afraid that something bad is going to happen to me while he's away."
Padme looked sheepish. "I do have to admit to having a hand in Anakin wanting to watch over you. I'm worried about you, too."
"I'm just a little tired. I'll be fine."
"Just a little tired? You look more than just a little tired! You look beat! Admit it, Obi-Wan, your still-human body is crying out for rest."
Obi-Wan knew it was pointless to try and deny it. "Alright, alright. Ever since arriving here, my fatigue has hit me hard."
"I can tell. Please take the time to rest, Obi-Wan. If not for yourself, than do it for me."
Obi-Wan couldn't help but smile at the concern on Padme's face. "Okay."
"Did you address Anakin's fear of losing you?"
"Yes, but I don't really know how much impact it had. It got to the point where I knew I shouldn't push any further."
"It's good that you didn't push him. It would just make matters worse."
"I know. I'm just at a loss as to what I should do."
"Like I said before, it's up to Anakin to address this in himself. You can't force him to see what he may not be willing to see."
Obi-Wan gazed at Padme with obvious respect and affection. "You are very wise, dear friend."
Padme ducked her head. "Thank you." There was still so much she wanted to tell Obi-Wan, but her courage was failing her. "This almost feels like our evenings together at the Temple. I've missed those conversations."
"So have I." Too much, Obi-Wan thought.
"Can we make this a daily ritual?" Padme looked both embarrassed and hopeful.
Obi-Wan liked the idea of talking with Padme every day. "I'll call you every day before I go to sleep, if at all possible."
Padme felt a weight lift from her heart. "It'll be my favorite part of the day."
"How are things in the senate?"
"Same as usual. It seems we're unable to come to a consensus on anything anymore. More and more senators are willing to let the Chancellor make the decisions in order to avoid the contentions of debate."
"Then they're shirking their responsibilities. Does the senate no longer function at all?"
Padme sighed heavily. "Less and less as time passes. I'm beginning to wonder if the Separatists may have a point."
Obi-Wan shook his head. "Even knowing there are problems with the Republic, tearing it in half isn't the answer. We have to fight for the Republic that once was, in hopes of getting it back again someday."
Padme smiled weakly. "Keep reminding me of that, okay?"
"I will." Obi-Wan tried to stifle a yawn and was only partially successful.
"Obi-Wan, go to sleep."
"I guess I'd better. Sleep well, Padme."
"I will now."
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Obi-Wan woke up the next morning and glanced at the chrono. "What the…" It was 10:30! He distinctly remembered setting the alarm for 7:00. "Anakin." His devious, over-protective, infuriating former apprentice must have sneaked in during the night and shut off his alarm! Obi-Wan grumbled as he made his way into the fresher for a quick shower.
Anakin heard the shower turn off as he brought in Obi-Wan's breakfast tray. He had sensed Obi-Wan wake up and had also sensed his foul mood.
Obi-Wan could sense Anakin's presence in his quarters, making his irritation escalate even more. He dried himself off in jerking motions and threw the towel around his waist. He stalked out of the fresher to confront his former padawan. "What's the big idea sneaking in here and turning off my alarm?"
Anakin worked not to smile at the picture Obi-Wan presented. He looked quite un-General-like clad only in a towel, hair going every which way and proverbial laser beams shooting from his eyes. "You need your sleep, Master. You should let your body rest as long as it needs it."
Obi-Wan hissed out his breath in frustration as he grabbed some clean clothes. "What did I say about mothering me, Anakin?"
Anakin watched his former master's jerking movements with growing amusement. Bad moods were rare for Obi-Wan, but Anakin enjoyed being reminded once in a while that Obi-Wan wasn't perfect. "I'm not mothering you and you can't deny that you're tired. You get rather grumpy when you're tired enough."
"I am not grumpy!"
"Mmm hmmm."
Obi-Wan bit back his sarcastic remark and released his frustrations into the Force. Maybe he was a TAD irritable. When he spoke again, his tone was softer. "You don't have to bring me every meal."
Anakin shrugged. "I don't mind."
That's not the point! Obi-Wan shook his head as he went back into the fresher to dress.
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Obi-Wan stood at the landing pad waiting for Anakin. After a week of watching him like a hawk, Anakin was finally willing to take his leave. It had been a week of working to keep his temper in check. He knew Anakin meant well, and that was probably the only thing keeping Obi-Wan from strangling him. Obi-Wan had never liked being fussed over. He was notorious amongst the healers at the Temple for being an uncooperative patient. He sincerely hoped Anakin would be less smothering when he returned.
Anakin grabbed his bag and headed out his door. His desire to see Padme was warring with his desire to protect Obi-Wan. He and Obi-Wan were a team, and it was the duty of each teammate to watch out for the other. Anakin almost felt negligent by leaving. Usually, he and Obi-Wan got leave together, so it had never been an issue before. He saw Commander Cody nearby and made a beeline for him. "Cody."
"Yes, Sir?"
Anakin grabbed Cody's arm and looked pointed over at Obi-Wan. "If anything happens to him while I'm gone, I'm holding you personally responsible."
"Understood, Sir."
"Good." Anakin started to walk away, but turned back around. "And try to keep that blasted woman journalist away from him."
Cody gave him a knowing smile. "I'll do my best."
Anakin strode towards the landing pad. Dawana Tobek was turning out to be a rather persistent pest. She always seemed to turn up whenever Obi-Wan showed his face outside of his quarters. She was getting on Anakin's last nerve. He was grateful that she wasn't around at the moment. He came up to Obi-Wan, who was waiting by his starfighter.
"All set?"
"I suppose. Master,…"
Obi-Wan held up his hand. "No lectures about taking it easy, Anakin."
Anakin grinned. "Wow, this is a switch! YOU telling ME to not lecture!"
Obi-Wan returned the grin. "It's my job to lecture you."
"Not anymore."
Obi-Wan sighed mournfully. "Quite right. I have to keep reminding myself that you're no longer my padawan."
"I have to keep reminding myself that you're no longer my master."
"You must be ignoring yourself, because you still refuse to call me by my name."
"Old habits die hard."
"Indeed. Have a good trip, Anakin. Enjoy your leave while you have it. Force only knows when you'll get any more."
"I will. Take care of yourself," Anakin said pointedly. He gripped Obi-Wan's hand tightly, reluctant to let go.
"I'll be fine, Anakin." Obi-Wan gestured to the starfighter with a nod of his head. "Go on. Say 'hi' to Padme for me."
"Alright." Anakin hopped into his starfighter and prepared her for takeoff.
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A couple of days later, Obi-Wan was talking with Padme. "I have a surrogate mother."
Padme laughed. "What?"
"It seems Anakin recruited Cody to watch over me while he's gone." And here Obi-Wan had thought he would have a break!
"Oh." Padme couldn't hide her amusement. Obi-Wan had vented to her about Anakin's 'mothering.' "You should be flattered that your well-being is so important to them."
"There are limits to my gratitude in that regard."
"I've noticed." Padme understood why Obi-Wan was reacting this way. If there was any pride to be found in Obi-Wan, it was in his independence. He chafed at the idea of having to be taken care of. Part of the issue was also his humility. He didn't like being the center of attention and he didn't like being fussed over. Padme found Obi-Wan's exasperation endearingly human.
"I'll quit my complaining."
"You're not a complainer, Obi-Wan. You're venting. Everyone – and that includes Jedi – needs to vent once in a while. I'm just glad you feel comfortable enough to do it with me."
"You may come to regret being my ventee."
"Never."
Obi-Wan smiled his gratitude. "There is a positive to Cody's watchfulness. He's keeping Ms. Tobek at bay."
Padme's eyes narrowed at the mention of the journalist. "Good."
Obi-Wan raised his eyebrows. "Jealous?" His heart was happy at that thought.
Padme made a show of nonchalantly buffing her nails. "Not at all."
Obi-Wan grinned at her. "Anakin should be there tomorrow afternoon. It's probably best that I not call you this next week. I don't want to take the chance of calling you while you're with him."
Padme frowned at the thought of not speaking with Obi-Wan for a whole week. "I'll call you."
"I'll be here."