The teenage padawan pondered Master Aayla's words most of the night. When the sun rose up over the ruins of Nusar, his plan to help his Master was still unclear, but he did have an idea.
It occurred to him that Obi-Wan had been his happiest and most content when he was communicating with Padmé over the Holonet, before he had discovered who she actually was. It was obvious, even to Anakin, that the man was in love, even though his Master refused to admit it. But one thing Obi-Wan had admitted to was his belief that the Force had brought them together. And Anakin had never known his Master to deny the will of the Force.
He therefore, had no doubt that this was where the true problem lay. Obi-Wan was denying his feelings, denying the Force, and ultimately denying himself the happiness and peace of mind he truly deserved.
The young man's mind was made up as he wheeled the metallic stool over to the medic datacom, and within a few minutes, had hacked into Obi-Wan's messages on "Coruscant Connections." He then reached behind him and dug through his travel pack, pulled out his datapad, and attached it to the medic system. He hesitated just momentarily as he chose the option to 'download all messages sent to and received' by melancholy-lady. After all, this was for his Master's own good.
When the task was complete, Anakin unplugged his datareader and wheeled himself over to Obi-Wan's side.
Perhaps his Master wouldn't listen about Padmé before, but he really didn't have a choice now, did he?
Anakin scrolled through the messages sent between them, counting a total of sixty-two. That was at least two sent per day.
"Who would have guessed you were so verbose?" Anakin joked into the silence of the room. But it wasn't Obi-Wan's words he was interested in, it was Padmé's.
Over the next several hours, Anakin read her messages aloud, all thirty-one of them.
Believing he had done all he could do, the apprentice went back to the computer to log off the dating service site when he noticed another message waiting for Obi-Wan, and this one was written within the last half hour. Anakin glanced back to his sleeping Master and then back to the datacom, set his jaw in determination and clicked the letter open to read it.
I had determined that I was not going to write again. Fate apparently has decided that our days of knowing one another are numbered. But to hell with Fate.
I need to know why you weren't at the diner. I feel like I truly understand who you are, and I am convinced that something must have happened to prevent you from being there. I refuse to believe that you intentionally stood me up. You don't seem the type. But maybe I'm wrong. I've been wrong before.
Please don't tell me I'm wrong.
Sincerely, ML
Anakin released a sigh as his head fell heavily into his palms.
He hadn't told her! His Master waltzed into that diner and didn't even tell Padmé the truth. No wonder things were so messed up. Well, not for long, he decided as his fingers began flying over the keyboard.
I'm so sorry I haven't been able to contact you. An emergency situation arose and I've been off-planet on a business trip for some time.
But please know that you are in my thoughts and that you are not wrong.
I will be in touch soon.
Sincerely, SOS
The young man reviewed his response, happy that he had not strayed too far from the truth and sounded hopeful. Satisfied with his message, he clicked the 'send reply' button and was just about to begin the log-off procedure when a raspy voice spoke up nearby.
"Padawan. What are you doing?"
Anakin spun around excitedly, but his features quickly transformed to dread as his Master's open, bloodshot gaze was not focused on him, but on the datascreen behind him.
A datascreen boldly displaying the "Coruscant Connections" logo.