He had a bad feeling about this. Obi-wan was always the cautious Jedi, waiting and methodically planning out how he would handle an assignment instead of making any rash decisions. If only he could say the same for his padawan. To him, Anakin was the exact opposite; always impulsive, always rushing too quickly and finding himself in an impossible situation. He would give Anakin credit, though he would never tell him for fear of expanding his already large ego; he excelled at improvising his way out of impossible situations. The trouble was, could his padawan handle this assignment on his own?
Obi-wan watched his apprentice walk away towards the freighter class airship matching the steps of the beautiful senator from Naboo whose grace emanated confidence. Even through the drab common clothing she dawned, Padme Amidala stood out amongst the crowd. Anakin would have his work cut out for him if anyone recognized her on that freighter.
As Obi-wan did his best to let go of his apprehension and anxiety towards sending his apprentice on this mission, he could feel Anakin's own feelings toward this matter through the force. These waves of emotions matched his own but were wildly more intense. Anakin made no effort to mask his feelings toward this mission, but there was something else that Obi-wan sensed, something that plagued him with worry. Anakin's thoughts gravitated around Senator Amidala, exposing a connection that has been there since he was a boy. It permeated the force around them in such an overwhelming wave that Obi-wan had to take a slow breath in order to clear his own mind. This one emotion worried him most of all as it was something forbidden for Jedi. Passion. Obi-wan drew another slow breath before stating to no one in particular. "I do hope he doesn't try anything foolish." Obi-wan could only hope that Anakin would prove him wrong and that he actually absorbed the teachings that Obi-wan put so much effort into. His apprentice did often surprise him.
"I'd be more worried about her trying something, than him." Captain Typho stated from beside him. Obi-wan glanced over at the concerned captain to find his intense eyes watching the senator closely, as if someone would jump out and attempt an assassination in front of them. How often did something like this happen? Obi-wan wondered. Even with the ever-looming danger, Captain Typho stood tall and rigid, his shoulders carrying the weight of his protective duty with ease. Only to the trained eye of Jedi, could Obi-wan sense the worry behind the captain's words.
Obi-wan turned toward the captain. "A politician acting on impulse? I find that hard to believe. Senator Amidala always seems so calm and collected, thinking out her plans to best accommodate her people." He thought back on her time as Queen and how her bravery knew no bounds, her thoughts remained with her people and carefully guided her every move. Obi-wan admired her negotiation skills and often thought of her whenever he needed diplomacy on a mission. Her speech before the senate pleading for help for her planet still resonated with him and Obi-wan knew it wasn't something that the senate would soon forget, even a decade later
Typho chuckled at Obi-wan's comment, the sense of irony in the air. Obi-wan got the impression that the Senator was not always easy to protect. "You'll be lucky if that apprentice of yours makes it back alive." Typho commented in a teasing manner, a small smirk cracking upon his ever-stoic face. The captain turned around and made his way to sit next to the very worried handmaiden, Dorme. Typho placed a hand gently on her shoulder and her expression softened. Obi-wan allowed himself one last glance toward his padawan before letting him go. The force will guide him now, I have taught him all he knows. Obi-wan silently pondered, hoping to feel some sort of reassurance. But it never came.
Anakin couldn't believe that he was sitting across from the woman of his dreams at that very moment. He felt betrayed by his memories, for they didn't come close to the beauty that sat before him. Everything about her was intoxicating, from her bright smile to her porcelain skin. Angels would be jealous if they knew they were no longer the most beautiful beings in the galaxy. If only he could be this lucky for his entire life.
"You look tired, Ani." Padme's melodious voice sang to him, calling to him like a siren. "You should rest, we won't reach Naboo for at least a couple more hours." Concern reverberated through her words and Anakin felt overwhelmed with joy to know that she cared for him, at least enough to make sure that he was well. He wished that her attention was enough to fill his soul, but sitting there with her so close felt like they were miles apart. The distance was eating away at him. If only she knew how much he wanted to touch her. "Ani?" She called louder when he didn't respond.
"Yes Milady?" Trying to pass off that he hadn't heard her.
"I said you look tired. R2 is here to watch after me. Feel free to rest a little." She pressed further, the stubbornness in her voice displaying her ever unyielding nature.
"I'm not tired." Anakin shrugged off almost childishly. "But I wouldn't mind getting a little more comfortable." He said before lying down on the bunk next to the table. The cushions on the bunk were not the best, but far more luxurious than what he was used to at the temple. His back and shoulders were instantly relieved as the cloud like fabric hugged him and released the tension from his muscles. He wished his pounding headache would subside as well, but that could only come from slumber. Sleep was something that Anakin was avoiding as of late. The images he saw tormented him every time he closed his eyes. He begged the force to give him relief from the pain, but to no avail, he continued to see his mother tortured every night in his dreams. She would cry out his name, begging for his help, but he was never able to will himself to save her. Her assailants were never within view and remained unknown. There was once a time in his youth when all he dreamt of was being reunited with Padme. If only he could return to such a time.
"Being a Jedi must be tough on you." Padme said as her eyes softened. She watched as Anakin's body relaxed against the pillows for the first time since she was reunited with him. "Always taking orders and having to fly off to some distant planet where your service is needed."
"My duty is to serve others, to ensure peace amongst the galaxy." He rattled off like a text book. He could feel his eyelids growing heavier the longer he laid on the bunk. He contemplated moving but could no longer find the strength.
"I was merely saying that it must be difficult having sworn your life to the Jedi, not being able to visit the places you like…"
"Or be with the people I love." Anakin finished. He peeked towards her to see her reaction. For the first time since Anakin had known her, the Senator was speechless. He opened his eyes just enough to catch the rosy tint that crept upon her soft complexion.
"Are you allowed to love?" She asked innocently as she fidgeted in her seat.
Anakin paused, knowing full well that he was treading on dangerous territory. "Attachment is forbidden. Possession is forbidden." He began. "Compassion, which I would define as unconditional love, is essential to a Jedi's life." Anakin grinned as he justified his feelings for her. "So, you could say that we are encouraged to love."
"And do you?" She asked meekly, trying to avoid eye contact with him.
"Hmm?" He grumbled, almost drifting off.
"Do you love?" She asked a little louder. He remained silent as the headache overtook him, sending him into a deep sleep almost instantly. The days he had stayed awake had finally taken its toll on him. If only he could know that this would be a restful sleep.
