Disclaimer- I own neither Padme nor Anakin.

A/N- This interlude takes place sometime after Anakin and Padme are married, and sometime before the major fighting in the Clone Wars has begun. Padme is on Coruscant, and Anakin has slipped away to come visit her.

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Purity: Interlude

Starring: STILL-INCREDIBLY-IRRITATING! Anakin and SENSIBLE-AND-KIND! Padme.

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"In a week, I'm being shipped to help near Malastaire. Apparently they're in need of a team of Jedi."

"Is Qui-Gon going with you?"

"Yes, and so is Obi-Wan." He was unable to keep the look of revulsion from his face. "The Council is planning to send the three of us together on a regular basis."

"Anakin, I'd like you to do something for me. I know you don't like Obi-Wan, and that's your business. But if you have any respect for Qui-Gon at all, at least act civilly. He loves Obi-Wan like his own son, and it will hurt him if the two of you are at odds all the time."

The young man sighed. "You're right. I'll do my best. I've got a question for you now. How do you know so much about Master Qui-Gon?"

"Do you remember ten years ago, when he and Obi-Wan came to Naboo, the large-scale battle at the end where Obi-Wan was injured?"

"Of course."

"I watched him sit there by Obi-Wan for three days. No matter what, he wouldn't leave. The only time he ate was when I brought him food; it never occurred to him to get up. That's when I became seriously afraid that Obi-Wan wouldn't make it. On a personal level, I hoped he would live, because I owed the freedom of my people to him, and—"

"Owed him?"

"Anakin, if you'll set aside your dislike of him for a moment, you'll realize that a victory over the Trade Federation would have done me little good if a Sith was still alive. As I was saying, I also hoped Obi-Wan recover for Qui-Gon's sake. I was only fourteen years old, but I knew that if his Padawan died it would destroy him."

"You're right again, of course."

"I know I don't have to tell you to look after Qui-Gon, Anakin, but please look after Obi-Wan, for Qui-Gon's sake. We both know Obi-Wan won't look after himself."

"I will, but only for my Master."

She sighed. "Perhaps once you're trying to be civil, you'll discover that you respect him more than you thought."

Anakin said nothing, afraid that she was right and that he would have to give up his righteous anger.

She was, of course.

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A/N- Sorry that was so short. I began writing chapter four, then looked at it and said, "Wait a minute, Anakin is acting decently toward Obi-Wan, I'll have to add something to explain it." I hope that explained what Padme said in chapter one about owing him a great deal. Chapter four is in progress, I hope to have it finished and posted soon.