Chapter 7

Obi-Wan had been informed by the council that he and his apprentice were to visit senator Amidala's apartment to talk with her about the assassination attempts. While on the elevator ride Obi-Wan felt his padawan's anxiety about seeing Padme again. Obi-Wan was anxious too but for other reason's. He knew that Anakin still held very strong feelings for Padme, he just hoped his padawan would keep his feelings to himself around the senator.

When she came over to greet them he wasn't sure how she would react, but he was relieved to see she held no resentment to seeing him again and told him it had been far too long since she last saw him.

Anakin however started blurting out how beautiful Padme had become, Obi-Wan couldn't help but roll his eyes at the uncomfortable situation. Things got even more heated when his apprentice started questioning him in front of Padme and her guards. Fortunately Padme ended the tension by leaving the room.

He couldn't believe his padawan was acting this way, he was already letting personal feelings get in the way and he had just reunited with Padme, he hoped that Anakin wouldn't be spending anymore time with Padme for fear his emotions could spiral out of control.

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Padme was very happy to see Anakin and Obi-Wan again but it also brought her sadness. Jar-Jar had told her of Anakin's comment about barely acknowledging him and how the gungan told him that she hadn't been happy in a long time like she is now. The truth was she was happy in seeing Anakin again but seeing Obi-Wan reminded her of what she lost and that was why she blew Anakin off so quickly. Jar-Jar was right though; she hadn't been happy in a long time and was finally starting to be happy again.

That night as she laid in her bed she was surprised to hear the two Jedi storming into her room and quickly killing a small animal she didn't even realize had gotten into her bed.

"Are you alright my lady?" Dorme said frantically running into Padme's room after Anakin ran out.

"Yes, I'm fine Dorme, I'm just a little shaken."

"You know my lady, you can't deny Master Kenobi still has feelings for you, he jumped out of your window to stop whatever it was that put you in danger. I think it's pretty obvious that he is still very protective of you."

"He is just doing his job Dorme."

"You don't see the way he looks at you."

"Well, even if Obi-Wan did still have feelings, he's moved on, I was the one who screwed up, he'll never trust me again and I don't blame him."

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Obi-Wan's worst fear came true, Anakin was going to be spending more time with Padme when he was told his apprentice was to be escorting her back to Naboo and would be staying her. While Obi-Wan was glad he was in charge in tracking down Padme's assassin, for he did have an emotional investment in finding out who was responsible, he didn't want his padawan spending time with Padme.

He knew part of it was jealousy, but he also knew that Padme would be a huge threat and distraction to Anakin's training and future, he needed to make sure that Padme would hold her ground with Anakin and not let things get out of control.

He went to see her to tell her she needed to start packing for the trip, she was dressed in a silver gown and he couldn't help but notice how beautiful she looked.

"You need to start packing."

"Why?"

"You are going to be escorted to Naboo with Anakin; you will be staying there until your assassin is found."

"You mean go into hiding?"

"Yes."

"I have work to attend to here."

"You could have Jar-Jar sit in on the meetings for you."

"I suppose" then she went and had Dorme go find Jar-Jar.

"I'll ask him" she said when she came back into the room.

"I think this is a very wise move, but I also came to talk to you about something else."

"Which is?"

"My padawan."

"Ani?"

"Yes, you know he still has strong feelings for you Padme."

"Well, it does seem like he still has a small crush on me yes."

"It's not just a small crush; needless to say his feelings for you haven't changed at all, I'm afraid you will cause a distraction in his mission."

"What are you saying?"

"Keep your relationship with him strictly professional."

She smirked at him and said, "That's hypocritical coming from you, Anakin is my friend you know."

"I know he is, but you are also aware of the Jedi code."

"I am very aware of it."

"Good, then you know what has to be done."

"I don't appreciate you telling me how I should or should not act."

"It's my duty to look after my apprentice."

"Oh because I'm such a bad influence right?"

"That's not what I meant."

"I think it is, I know you don't trust politicians, I heard you talking to Anakin outside my room last night, politicians can't be trusted remember?"

He didn't respond, he turned away instead and sighed heavily. Padme continued to stare him down until he finally said, "I wish we could have stayed close, despite everything that happened what I regret most is; I lost my best friend that day."

He turned back to her and saw tears forming in her eyes, he walked over to her and gently said, "Just think about what I said" then left the apartment.

She didn't have much time to compose herself for Jar-Jar and Anakin arrived at her apartment a shortly after.

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When Padme was about to board the transport with Anakin on their way to Naboo, she gave Obi-Wan a quick glance over her shoulder as she was saying goodbye to Dorme. He acted as if their conversation didn't' happen which she was grateful for, but she also regretted not being able to tell him how she really felt, that she still held strong feelings for him and that if she could take back what happened on Naboo she would in a heartbeat. But instead she found herself saying she was thankful for his speed in tracking down her assassin.

While walking with Anakin to the transport she didn't release she had said aloud "Suddenly I'm afraid." Anakin tried to calm her nerves by saying it was his first mission as well but what Anakin didn't know was Padme was afraid for Obi-Wan not herself. She was scared because she didn't want anything to happen to him.

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While Obi-Wan watched Padme walk with Anakin to the transport he had told Captain Panaka he hoped his apprentice wouldn't do anything foolish. The captain responded by saying it was Padme they should be worried about, but Obi-Wan was pretty sure that Padme had listened to his advice about Anakin. She knew the risks of getting involved with a Jedi and was pretty sure she wouldn't put herself through that kind of pain again. But he felt terrible that had to bring up the past with her again, a past both of them were trying to forget. But as much as he tried he still thought about Padme and what he lost everyday, he didn't' want anything to happen to her and he was determined to find out who was planning these attacks. And he knew just what to do to start looking in the right direction.