I wanted to welcome the new readers. Thank you for taking the time to read this story! A big thank you to all of you who continue to be so faithful in your readership and reviews! You make this all worth while!

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It took all of Padme's willpower to keep her emotions under control. She hadn't seen Obi-Wan in four months and he would be there in just a little while. He and Anakin had returned from the Outer Rim two days before. Thanks to an ill-timed meeting, Padme hadn't been able to be present when they landed. She and Anakin were currently sharing breakfast, but it was all she could do to actually eat. The overactive butterflies in her stomach had seriously reduced her appetite.

Padme had wanted to cry in frustration at not being able to see Obi-Wan before now. But he had called the evening he arrived to see if she wanted to spend this day with him, James, Devin and Kira. Kira had been adopted by a couple here on Coruscant, so they were all able to remain in touch. Padme had leapt at the opportunity to spend the whole day with Obi-Wan. Anakin hadn't exactly liked the idea, but had acquiesced.

They were just finishing up when Obi-Wan arrived. Padme held her breath. Her heart was pounding so furiously, she was sure Anakin could hear it. She went over to greet the handsome Jedi Master, who had re-grown his beard in his time away.

"Hello, Obi-Wan." Padme was surprised at how calm she sounded.

Obi-Wan kissed her on each cheek. "Hello, Padme." He turned to smile at her companion. "Good morning, Anakin."

"Good morning, Master."

"Anakin, why don't you come with us?" Padme knew Anakin would say no, but she thought that maybe asking would make him feel better.

"Yes, please do." Obi-Wan knew what Padme was doing.

"No, thank you. The kids want to spend the day with you two, not me. Besides, I've agreed to spend the day with the Chancellor." Anakin noticed the neutral mask both Padme and Obi-Wan slammed into place. A spark of anger ignited in him. "I know that neither of you approve of my friendship with the Chancellor, but that's not going to stop me from spending time with him."

Obi-Wan regarded Anakin calmly. "We didn't say a word."

"You didn't have to! He's a good man, an understanding friend and a fabulous leader! Why can't you see that?"

"His actions speak louder than his well-chosen words."

Anakin turned to his wife in disbelief. "What do you mean by that?"

"I've watched him take powers away from the senate, one by one."

"He's taking the necessary steps to win the war!"

Obi-Wan could not believe his friend's blindness. "Are you saying it's okay for him to destroy the Republic in order to save it?"

"He is NOT destroying the Republic!" Anakin's eyes were flashing with passion.

Padme held to her own beliefs with no less passion. "He is dismantling the very structure that made the Republic great!"

Anakin laughed harshly. "Great? A bunch of politicians who are too busy squabbling to get anything done?"

Obi-Wan folded his arms over his chest, keeping as calm as ever. "Anakin, you know that I'm no fan of politicians in general. But debate is a necessary part of democracy."

"The Chancellor is wise and will do right by the Republic."

"That may be so." Obi-wan didn't want to enflame the conversation any more than it already was. "But the Republic was originally structured with checks and balances."

Padme jumped back into the debate. "Checks and balances that Palpatine is doing away with! No leader, no matter how wise, should not be beholden to the people!"

"To the senate, you mean," Anakin spat.

"We are the elected representatives of the people, Anakin."

"I'm done with this conversation!" Anakin stalked to his parked speeder and took off into the busy traffic.

Obi-Wan dropped down onto the sofa. "That went well."

Padme plopped down beside him. "I'm worried about him, Obi-Wan. I'm beginning to think the Chancellor is brainwashing Anakin."

"I have no doubt Palpatine is a powerful influence, and a negative influence at that."

"How can Anakin not see what's happening?"

"I don't know, but I don't think even we have the complete picture. I have the feeling that we're all missing something."

"That doesn't inspire confidence."

Obi-Wan gave Padme a sheepish smile. "Sorry."

Padme studied the face she had missed seeing in person. "I'm so glad you're back."

"It's good to be back." Obi-Wan took Padme's hand in his.

Padme ran her other hand down Obi-Wan's face, pausing to tug lightly on his beard. "You just had to grow it back, didn't you?"

"I told you I would."

"Yes, you did. Though I still think it's a tragedy to hide such a handsome face." Padme chuckled when Obi-Wan blushed. She had really missed that!

"I'll take whatever anonymity I can get."

Padme's brow raised at that. "Your beard does not hide who you are. Besides, that won't stop the media attention nor will it stop the female attention. You're still darn handsome with the beard."

Obi-Wan shifted uncomfortably. "Can we please change the subject?"

Padme giggled as she twined her fingers with his. It was refreshing to be with a man who didn't like to talk about himself so much. "Hadn't we better be going?"

"We aren't actually expected for another hour."

"I had no idea you could be so devious! Not that I'm complaining." Padme smiled happily as she settled into his arms. There it was – that familiar comfort, that familiar scent, that familiar warmth. She was home again!

Obi-Wan rested his chin on Padme's head. He hadn't felt this content since the last time Padme was in his arms. She had a strong hold on his heart. That knowledge still gave him some trepidation, but he had come to accept it as the will of the Force. He intertwined his long fingers with hers. "I've missed this."

"Mmm. So have I." True to Obi-Wan's word, they had spoken nearly every day over the last four months. They had become even closer friends and confidants. Concerns they didn't feel they could share with anyone else, they shared with each other.

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Palpatine got up from his desk. "Anakin, my boy, it's good to have you back."

"It's good to be back, Sir."

"What's the matter? You seem troubled." The Chancellor's face displayed concern.

"Nothing important." Anakin didn't really want to discuss it, especially since the topic of debate had been the Chancellor himself. Neither did he want to admit how disturbed he was by the united front Obi-Wan and Padme had made against him.

Palpatine smiled inwardly. Trouble in paradise? "I hope you feel you can talk to me about anything, Anakin."

"I do. There's just nothing the matter."

"I'm glad to hear that. How is it you are free to spend the whole day with me? This is a rare pleasure, indeed."

He would have to ask that! "Obi-Wan and Padme are spending the day with the kids they looked after at the Temple."

"Oh? Spending that much time together must have deepened their friendship considerably." Palpatine chuckled. "But then again, Padme didn't stay at the Temple all the time." He knew very well that she had. This was too much fun!

Anakin's mood sunk even further. "Actually, she did."

"Really? The Jedi actually gave Padme her own apartment in the Temple?"

Anakin clenched his fists. "She stayed in Obi-Wan's apartment."

"I must say, Anakin, I'm surprised you allowed that. I mean, you've seen the effect Master Kenobi has on women of all species."

"Of course I have! Since the day I became his apprentice!" Anakin focused on his breathing. He needed to calm down. "I trust Obi-Wan and Padme. They would not betray me." He wished he felt as confident as he sounded.

"Maybe not deliberately. But Master Kenobi is still a man – and an attractive man at that." Palpatine could feel Anakin's jealousy growing. Dark energy was beginning to emanate from the young Jedi. Good! "Are you sure Padme can resist that Kenobi charisma?"

Doubt plagued Anakin. Surely his wife wouldn't allow that to happen! Padme was loyal to him. She was his perfect angel. "Padme is strong and is firm in her convictions. She wouldn't do that. Obi-Wan wouldn't either. He may not approve of my feelings for Padme, but he wouldn't betray me like that." Despite his forceful words, the doubt lingered.

"Well, you are certainly more trusting than I would be in your situation. But, you do know them much better than I do." Palpatine ended the topic there, knowing his goal had been achieved. "Shall we go?"

Anakin just nodded and followed the Chancellor out of his office. He wondered where Obi-Wan and Padme were. Were they really spending the day with the kids? Or were they spending the day in each other's arms? That though made Anakin's blood boil. No. Don't let your imagine get away with you! This is Obi-Wan and Padme. They wouldn't do that! He tried to push the jealousy aside. He would just try and concentrate on enjoying his time with the Chancellor.

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Obi-Wan and Padme were on their way back from their day with the children. They knew that Anakin would not be waiting for them at her apartment – not after the confrontation they'd had that morning. Obi-Wan had enjoyed the day immensely. He had really missed the children. He had missed the ordinariness of the days with Padme and the kids. And now the day was already over. He probably wouldn't get another chance to spend time alone with Padme before leaving for the field again.

Padme was subdued. She didn't want this day to end. When she was with Obi-Wan, she felt truly alive and truly happy. Happy moments with Anakin were becoming few and far between. He didn't joke anymore, he hardly laughed and rarely smiled. He was becoming more cynical. Conversations with him were becoming more one-sided and more a litany of complains about how unfair life was being to him. That cynicism was really starting to get her down. Being with and talking with Obi-Wan was like a burst of sunlight into her gloomy world. His optimism and humor were a balm to her soul.

Obi-Wan parked the speeder and they walked into her apartment together. Padme was not ready to let Obi-Wan go yet. "Please stay for dinner."

Obi-Wan wasn't ready to say goodbye, either. "I'd love to." Besides that, he was starving!

After dinner and some tea, Obi-Wan decided he had better go. He had the feeling that Anakin would be waiting for him. "I should get back to the Temple."

Padme looked down at her hands, which were clasped tightly in Obi-Wan's. "I know." She took a deep, wavering breath. "Every time I have to say goodbye to you, I feel like I'm being torn in half! You've become such an important part of my life."

Obi-Wan let go of one of Padme's hands and trailed his fingers down the side of her face. "You've become an important part of my life, as well." He gave her an ironic smile. "My life would certainly be a lot less complicated if I didn't feel the way I do about you. But I want you know, I wouldn't change it if I could."

"Neither would I." Padme fell against Obi-Wan's chest. "I'm not ready to say goodbye! One day just isn't enough! I've missed your company so much it hurts!"

Obi-Wan ran his fingers through her thick hair. "I feel the same way. But it isn't forever. Once the war is over, we'll be able to spend more time together."

Padme pulled back to look Obi-Wan in the eyes. "Will we?" She highly doubted that Anakin would be amenable to her spending a lot of alone time with Obi-Wan.

Obi-Wan rubbed at his beard. Anakin. "We don't know what the future may hold, Padme. Don't lose hope. There's a reason for everything that happens."

"I wish I had your conviction in that regard." Padme did feel a bit of hope at Obi-Wan's words.

"I have it on high authority." Obi-Wan gave her an encouraging smile before kissing her hand. "I must go."

"You better call me before you leave Coruscant."

"I wouldn't think of doing otherwise." Obi-Wan pulled Padme up for a hug. He breathed in the scent of her hair, committing the sensation to memory. Obi-Wan kissed the top of her head before pulling back. He took in her beautiful, though tear-stained, face for a moment. He gave her a quick, chaste kiss. "Goodbye, my friend."