Obi-Wan stared at the comlink in his hand and lost track of how long he'd been observing it. He just had to press a button, and he would inform his former Padawan of the mission to Lothal.

He sighed through his nose, and pinched the bridge of it, fully aware of why he was hesitating.

It was only this week that Padme had been appointed to the Jedi Council by Chancellor Palpatine. Master Windu told her she would be allowed to be seated on the Council, but she would not be granted the rank of Master.

Padme didn't say anything. A dark look passed her face as quickly as it came and she took a seat, without so much as a word. For the rest of the meeting. she didn't say anything, and before Obi-Wan knew it, the Council was adjourned, and then he had to relay the news to Padme. To ask her to spy on the Chancellor per the Council's orders.

Padme only shook her head in disappointment and walked away from him.

To the rest of the Council, and Mace Windu in particular, the lack of words or decorum was probably seen as disrespect. But Obi-Wan knew how close the Chancellor and Padme were. Palpatine was probably like the father she never got to know as a youngling.

And the silent treatment stung more than any emotional response, which would have been preferred.

Obi-Wan realized he'd been pacing back and forth, the comlink still in his hand. Fortunately, he'd been walking the Jedi Temple halls and not somewhere like a busy Coruscant street. No doubt he'd draw attention otherwise.

He stopped his pacing and really looked at the device in his hand. No time like the present, he thought. And he at least owed it to her to break the pproverbial ice that seemed to reform between them these past few weeks.

With a press of the button, the comlink crackled, and he lamented the fact that his last discussion with her was asking her to spy oconan elected leader of the Republic. He rubbed his forehead.

The hum of static disappeared and was replaced with silence.

"Master Kenobi," Padme's voice greeted neutrally.

Oh, she's definitely upset, Obi-Wan thought drily. She always did that when she was angry or upset, he remembered. Using only your title and last name. Cold and distant without being obvious about it.

She probably would have made quite the politician.

Well, at least he had somewhat good news to give this time. She always seemed fond of Senator Skywalker.

"We have another mission," he said in way of greeting. "Not of the espionage variety," he added quickly, hoping to pique her interest.

There was no response, but from the lack of static, he could tell she was still listening. "It's a trip to the Lothal Temple; Senator Skywalker will be joining us."

There was a muted clatter on the other end. Did she drop her comlink?

"Uh, what does An- A senator need to go to Lothal for?"

Obi-Wan didn't miss the slip of the tongue but didn't mention it.

"It involves an...anomoly in the Force that Yoda spoke to Anakin and I about." He knew it didn't answer the question, but honestly, he didn't know enough to give a comprehensive answer. He idly watched the large stairs behind him, covered in burgundy carpet, as various Jedi of all shapes, sizes, and species walked on it or past it.

"Only you, the senator, and Master Yoda know about this mission?" she asked from the other end after a short pause. Obi-Wan confirmed this.

"...When do we leave?" Padme finally asked, to Obi-Wan's relief.

"Tomorrow morning, so for now just get some rest."

"Understood," she replied evenly. Abruptly, the connection was cut.

Obi-Wan sighed, observing his comlink before pocketing it within his tunic. Yes, she was still a bit upset. Understandable.

His thoughts began to wander again as he made his way to his own room within the Temple. Silently, he navigated through scattered groups of Jedi as they went on their way through the massive hallway.

Hopefully, he thought, this mission with Anakin would be enough to get all of their minds off of worrying about the state of the Republic, if even for a couple of days.


"When were you going to tell me about this Lothal mission," Padme suddenly asked. She approached the sofa with a mug of tea in either hand, and she placed them on coasters on the center table. The holovision monitor was currently on, with the Galactic News playing.

Anakin crossed his legs at the ankles where he sat, taking one of the mugs. "I knew...Master Kenobi would let you know." It still felt strange to refer to him by last name.

Padme pouted, but it was obvious she wasn't entirely upset. "I'd just rather have learned it from you than Obi-Wan." She folded one leg over the other, watching Anakin expectantly.

Anakin frowned in thought, returning Padme's gaze. "Now that I think about it, you sound a bit irritated every time we mention Obi-Wan," he replied evenly, raising a curious brow, hoping he didn't sound too pushy. "Why is that?"

Padme looked away imperiously, but Anakin held his gaze, deciding to take that moment to take a sip of his tea.

She took an irritated breath through her nose and Anakin noted how he's never seen Padme constantly so frustrated before. She sipped her own tea and replaced it on the table.

"I've been appointed to the Jedi Council," Padme relented. Anakin's brows shot up.

"Isn't that good news-"

"But," she cut in. She shook her head in a deliberate manner. "I was not granted the rank of master."

"How can you be on the Council and not be made a Master?" Wasn't being a Master a prerequisite to even sit on it? He wondered if he was close to being a Jedi Master in his native timeline.

Padme sat up, eyeing Anakin for a moment with a strange expression. "I've never mentioned the Council only has Masters," she said, a hint of suspicion in her voice.

"Educated guess," Anakin smoothly dismissed.

"Right," Padme conceded, still a bit skeptical. She was eyeing him a bit warily now, as if she knew he were hiding something.

"What happened besides that?" Anakin pressed, eager for a change of subject, lest she start questioning him. Thankfully, she seemed to forget his slip, at least for now.

"I'm being asked to do something against the Jedi Code by the Council," she replied vaguely. "I'm not ready to talk about it yet."

He just knew he wouldn't be getting a clearer answer than that. He sighed inwardly then nodded.

"Well, We have a long trip ahead of us tomorrow. What about on the ship?"

"I'll have to think about it," Padme admitted, studying Anakin's face again. "Did Obi-Wan say what we're doing visiting a Jedi Temple?"

"He's your Jedi Master," Anakin teased, resting an arm behind the couch. "I thought he told you."

Padme touched her mug of tea but didn't pick it back up. "I may have cut our conversation short," she replied slowly, her expression pensive. She reached out, gripping his right hand -it was still flesh- and lazily played with his palm with her fingers.

Oh, right. Obi-Wan was a member of the Council. So she was upset with him as well about whatever she was keeping quiet about.

Anakin didn't reply, but squeezed her thigh in a show of support, even if he didn't know the context. "Hey, let's forget about all that on the trip, alright?" He leaned towards her to close the distance between them. "We can forget about the war and politics and annoying Council members," he smiled knowingly, thinking of a certain dark-skinned Jedi Master. Padme snorted at his comment, making his smile widen.

"Ok!" Padme agreed, lightly hitting his arm, amused. "No politics while we're in space," she smiled, looking more at ease now. She leaned forward, pulling him into a kiss, which he was wholly unprepared for. After just a split second of indecision, he returned it.

Padme broke out of it first, looking into his eyes. Anakin blinked, a little out of it.

"What?" He quietly asked. There was only a finger's length of distance between their faces. Padme suddenly looked away, shaking her head dismissively.

"It's nothing," she replied, offering one of those fake smiles that he was beginning to recognize. "Good night," she said softly, palming the side of Anakin's face briefly. She stood up, heading to their bedroom.

A skin watched her go, keenly aware of the feeling that he just overlooked something that just happened, but couldn't surmise what it was. He took another sip of his tea, no longer paying attention to the flavor. He looked to his side. Padme's tea was left unattended, already having begun to get cold.

Anakin sighed with slumped shoulders, touching his lips where Padme's had met his only a moment ago.

A feeling of unease seemed to form and persist in his chest.


A/N: A little slow, but I'm taking my time with the progression.