"BUT YOU DON'T EVEN WANT ME!"

Obi-Wan's shout echoed through the quarters. The boy hung his head, arms wrapped around his middle, almost like he was collapsing in on himself. He trembled as he stood there in the silence, waiting. Waiting to be kicked out, dismissed, yelled at, anything but this suffocating silence. Fat, hot tears ran down his cheeks before he could stop them. Face flushing with shame, Obi-Wan raised his hand to wipe them away.

And was caught. Qui-Gon's hand snatched his wrist, and pressed it close to his chest. The elder Jedi wrapped his arms around the young boy, holding him tight. At first, Obi-Wan was stiff and unyielding, but he soon melted against his mentor. They held onto each other, both allowing tears to fall. After a few moments, Qui-Gon gripped both of his padawan's hands and knelt to his height.

"My sweet, sweet, Obi-Wan. Why in the universe would you think that?"

Obi-Wan's shields were shattered, so Qui-Gon could have easily probed his mind, but he wanted to hear it for himself.

"I-I heard s-some of-f the Mas-s-sters t-talking." He swallowed, steadying his voice. "They think I'm a pity case. That you just took me because I had already been sent to the AgriCorps and I would never amount to anything anyway." His voice cracked and he hung his head once more, tears streaming freely.

Qui-Gon fought to keep his anger in check. He was used to the whispers, the rumors that swirled around the temple regarding his unorthodox teaching methods. After years of practice, he was able to ignore them. But to speak of a child in such a way, it made him shudder.

"Obi-Wan, you must understand this. I was not ready to take you on as an apprentice while you were here at the Temple. I was not ready, and could have hurt you greatly. But it is the will of the Force that we are together as Master and Apprentice. We are here together, now, in this moment. The past is behind us, the future is too far ahead. Today is the day we must face. And today, you were supposed to be in class."

Obi-Wan blushed. "I'm sorry Master. I just didn't want to be stared at. I should have talked to you."

Qui-Gon nodded. "That is true, but I understand why you did not. I'm sorry that I was not more aware of your feelings."

"I'm sorry for yelling and not controlling my temper. I'll be sure to make up my work during class tomorrow." Obi-Wan replied, allowing his shields to reform and his composure to return.

"Well no. You won't. Tomorrow, you and I are going to track down those Jedi who were making these accusations, and I am going to set them straight. Is that clear?"

Obi-Wan grinned. "Crystal, Master. Thank you so so much." With that, he wrapped his arms around his Master and gave thanks for the will of the Force.

"WELL MAYBE I DON'T WANT TO BE THE CHOSEN ONE!"

Despite his Jedi composure, Obi-Wan jumped upon hearing this revelation. This had been bottled up for far too long. Reprimanding his apprentice would do Anakin no good. With a wordless nod, Obi-Wan allowed his apprentice to continue.

"They're always on me, all the time! They want me to be better than everyone else, but they've been here since they were born. They know nothing else. Why do I have to be the "Chosen One"? I can't be perfect all the time. Why do I have to meet their standards to be some perfect padawan?"

Anakin sat down hard, drawing his knees into his chest. His frustration and exhaustion rolled off of him in waves as he released to the Force. Obi-Wan smiled faintly. Even under immense pressure and strain, his padawan was still trying to follow his teachings.

Obi-Wan crossed the distance between them and sat next to his padawan. "I understand Padawn."

Obi-Wan didn't have to look at his student; he could practically hear his apprentice's eyes roll. He sighed. Mkay, new angle.

"Do you remember Master Qui-Gon?" Anakin lifted his head, and looked over at his Master. "Of course."

"When I was his apprentice, everyone thought I should be the best too. He was powerful, strong, could outwit the Council like no one else. So people expected a lot out of me too. But you have to ignore them. There's only one person who can set your standards."

Anakin raised an eyebrow. "Besides you?" Obi-Wan laughed and nudged him lightly. "That's true, I have fairly high standards for you, one that you've always met or worked to meet. But you ,my stubborn padawan, are the only person who can set your standards. And they can be as high or as low as you want."

"So...you're saying I shouldn't listen to the Council?"

Obi-Wan smiled again. "Listen to them? Probably a good idea. Drive yourself crazy trying to be their "perfect chosen one"? Absolutely not. You're still a kid, Ani. No need to hurry so much."

Anakin leaned against his Master and sniffed. "I guess you're right. Did Master Qui-Gon really argue with the Council?"

Obi-Wan grinned, pulling his apprentice closer. "Well, I can think of a couple times..."

"WHY DON'T YOU TRUST ME?"

"BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO LOSE YOU!"

Silence fell in their quarters, hot and heavy. The tension wrapped around both of them, squeezing them until they felt they would burst. Silence was suffocating, like the moment after a battle, when all the noise left and all you could think about was the men lying dead around you. They both had to say something, anything. So they both tried to speak:

"Imthings beeot thyining tome worcesi Mortior!"

Both of them laughed at the ridiculousness of what they had just said. Once she caught her breath, Ahsoka made a 'you first' gesture.

"Nothing's been the same since Mortis. After you...got hurt...everything just got way too real. I know we're at war, but you were so still. It was like one of my nightmares, made real. And don't give me that none of that Code attachment nonsense. I don't care. I just couldn't stand seeing you like that. And the more I thought about it, the more I want to protect you. And this mission really is dangerous, I just don't want you to get hurt." Anakin sighed, hanging his head.

But this was their way. They were a team, they never hid things from each other. After a moment of letting that sit between them. Ahsoka said her piece.

"I'm not trying to worry you. Master, I know you want to protect me. That's your job, and you're really good on. What happened on Mortis was bigger than anything we had ever faced before, none of us were ready. It was a mistake. But you're the one who brought me back! Even when I...got hurt...you still protected me. That has to count for something, right? And I know this mission is a big risk, but I'll never grow unless I push myself and test my limits. I won't be alone, I'll have you to help me out." She paused for a moment.

"And like it or not Master, I'm not a little kid anymore. I'll be a Senior Padawan in another year or two and then I'll be sent on solo missions and sooner or later I'll take the Trials. You won't be able to protect me forever, but you can protect me now while letting me test my limits. Fair trade?"

Anakin swallowed, and sat down on the couch. He held out a hand and she sat next to him. They sat there for a long time, holding onto each other, not bothered by the silence anymore.

"I know I can't protect you forever. I just wish I could."

"I don't want to worry you, but I do want to improve myself."

"I understand. I know I need to work on being overprotective but you're still a padawan, Snips. You've still got a lot to learn before you're a Senior Padawan, much less a Knight."

Ahsoka nodded and they sat for another few moments.

"Snips?"

"Yeah Skyguy?"

"You're still not going on the mission."

Ahsoka laughed and nodded. "Alright Master. Just don't have too much fun without me."

Anakin rubbed the top of her lekku gently. "You got it, Snips."

Author's Note: Ugh, I know, I'm as slow as molasses when it comes to updating these days. I'm just super busy right now, I'll be back in school within a month. The Muse has not been singing and I have writer's block like you would not believe. Oh well, I hope this chapter makes up for the long wait. Have a great day and may the Force be with you!