Chapter Seven: A Masterly Intervention
A vague awareness that he is being watched creeps upon Obi-Wan's sleep state. He squints one eye open, struggling against drowsiness to view the bright expression of his padawan hovering over him.
"Master? Are you ever going to get up?" The boy asks in a loud whisper.
A glance toward the nightstand chrono confirms what the Jedi has already determined from the lack of natural light coming through the window.
"Padawan." Obi-Wan groans then clears his throat. "Why are you awake at this hour?"
"You said we could go see Padmé this morning."
"It's not morning yet."
"But Master!" The young boy's whine convinces Obi-Wan there is only one possible course of action. He promptly places his pillow over his head and rolls away to face the wall.
"Go back to bed, Anakin." He murmurs and is only slightly aware of the slow padding of feet that leave his room.
About a half-hour later, his bed begins vibrating as a small hand shakes the frame.
"Master, it's morning now. The sun is up."
Obi-Wan squints once more toward the lone window and then at his apprentice. "Barely." The Coruscant sky was just beginning to lighten.
"Padmé is probably up by now." The eager youth insists and the Jedi notes that the boy is already clean and dressed.
"I doubt it." He replies, swinging his legs off the bed.
The boy's enthusiasm is amusing, but also a bit contagious. Obi-Wan, himself can now feel the beginning stirrings in his stomach that have nothing to do with hunger.
A whole day to spend with Padmé, he remembers with a smile and hurries to perform his own morning routine.
They walk slowly to her quarters, trying to allow adequate time for her to rise and prepare. It is still a little early to be calling, and he doesn't want to seem over-anxious or possibly rude. So, despite Anakin's disappointment, he stops and talks to several Jedi along the way.
At the insistence of his young charge, however, they arrive sooner than Obi-Wan prefers. He just hopes that she is dressed, although the prospect of catching her in her evening attire, with her hair tousled from sleep is tempting.
Almost immediately following his chime does Padmé's door slide open, revealing a young woman who is completely dressed, every hair perfectly curled and in place. She looks as fresh as the morning and his heart swells with joy in the fact that he will get to spend the entire day with her.
And after Anakin goes to his morning classes, it will just be him and her….
"Do we have an agenda for the day, Knight Kenobi?" A voice asks from behind the door.
…and Captain Panaka. He had forgotten all about him.
"Uhm, no. Just first meal."
"Excellent." Replies the Head of Security who appears, taking Padmé's arm. "Lead the way."
A look of consolation crosses Padmé's face as Obi-Wan is forced to walk ahead of them. However, Anakin does not take the hint and strolls alongside their guests.
"That statue is of Master Nu." He explains as they walk. "She's a Master who works in the Library. You gotta be real quiet in there or she gets really cranky."
"That's training hall two." Anakin points to the right and then to the left. "That's the inner…inner…"
"Interplanetary." Obi-Wan corrects him from up ahead.
"Interplanetary conference room." The boy continues.
Once reaching the commissary, Obi-Wan checks on the availability of the guest tables, which once again are empty. After receiving their food, he leads the group to that area, allowing both Captain Panaka and Anakin to sit on either side of Padmé. He sits across from her and smiles. At least he can enjoy the view.
Perhaps, after Anakin leaves for class, they will have a chance to talk, but then there is Captain Panaka to have to deal with, and Obi-Wan isn't sure what to do about him.
The meal conversation once again is monopolized by his energetic padawan, who proceeds to plan every minute of their day.
"That sounds wonderful, Ani." Padmé interrupts him as he explains his plans to show her the Room of a Thousand Fountains. "But don't you have school today?"
'Yeah, but I'm sure Master Obi-Wan won't make me go. I mean, this is a special occasion!"
A concerned expression crosses the young woman's brow as she looks upon the equally surprised Knight sitting across from her.
"You're going to class, Anakin." Obi-Wan replies as he finishes his food.
"But Master!" The youth whines, but is immediately silenced by a one-brow-raised glare. The same one Qui-Gon had used so successfully on his own padawan in the past.
Anakin bows his head in disappointment and murmurs, "Yes, Master."
"After you've finished with your studies, then perhaps you can show me the fountains." Padmé suggests, trying to cheer the boy up.
"That's okay." He chirps. "Master Obi-Wan can show it to you. I've got lots more neater places to take ya to see."
A bright smile returns to the lad's face before he announces his exit and bounds away to join some of the other initiates on their way to class.
Obi-Wan sighs at the relief of his absence, until he is met with the firmly planted scowl on the Captain of Security's face.
"I, for one, am looking forward to seeing this room of fountains myself." The dark-skinned man replies. "It sounds reminiscent of Naboo."
Exactly, Obi-Wan thinks. Exactly why he wants to share it with Padmé.
Alone.
"More than pleased I would be to show it to you." A gravily voice announces as Master Yoda approaches the table. "Your assistance I require, Captain Panaka."
The Naboo guest appears almost as curious as Obi-Wan does at the announcement.
"Know, I do about your involvement in the development of the Z-7300 Security System. A possible breach, the Temple may have had. Your knowledge of this system, several Masters wish to discuss."
The Captain proudly excuses himself and rises from the table, forgetting all about his responsibility in guarding the Queen of Naboo. She is in good hands, after all. He walks away, chatting animatedly with the council member regarding his knowledge of Naboo's newest security system.
A system, which Obi-Wan knows Master Yoda has no interest in.
He wonders about the motivation behind the older Jedi's intervention, but decides not to dwell on it.
He is now alone with Padmé for the first time since her arrival, and he's not about to waste one moment of it.