Galactic Vigilante.

Obi-Wan couldn't believe what he was hearing; there were times he thought Padme lived in a different reality, but even that mess she had gotten herself into when she had decided to go with Anakin to Geonosis was sane compared to this. He had needed to use every scrap of experience he had just to persuade the Council to send him and another member to Corellia so they could meet with Anakin.

In the end, the Council had agreed with his logic, and they had decided to despatch Master Windu since the Korun Master was one of three Jedi Masters currently on Jedha with the small Jedi group. Obi-Wan didn't personally believe the idea was a wise one given how little Mace thought about Anakin, but Mace was the only Master who could be spared since Master Fisto was taking the other Jedi to a different location while the Korun Master's original mission was to meet with another group of Jedi dedicated to the training of some of the remaining Padawans to gauge their level.

Personally, Obi-Wan didn't think it was a good idea. While he had no idea how Anakin would react, Obi-Wan knew he would probably get a warmer reception from his former apprentice than the Korun Master.

But Padme….

Had the irritating woman taken leave of her senses? Did she really think Anakin would welcome her with open arms? In truth, Obi-Wan realised in hindsight the chances of Padme keeping out of this were a million to one, but he really wished she had the common sense to realise it was a bad idea her coming with them. "No, Padme," he said firmly when he regained control over his composure.

But the Imperial Senator was resolute with her very unwise decision. "Obi-Wan, I need to go," she said.

Why is this blasted stubborn woman so determined to come?

"Padme, I want you to listen to me," Obi-Wan said slowly so then the woman understood this was not some kind of political game, but he was also aware Master Windu himself was watching and Obi-Wan knew how his fellow Jedi Master felt about politicians, "myself and Master Windu are going to have trouble getting to Corellia as it is without you there."

Padme glared back at him. "Don't patronise me, Master Kenobi. I know and understand the risks."

Obi-Wan sighed under his breath and decided to try another tactic.

"Padme, it could take us ages to arrive at Corellia, and it could take us even longer to get into CEC to meet with Anakin." Not for the first time, Obi-Wan was eternally grateful his years in the Temple had taught him the value of patience, but there was something about the woman in front of him which grated on the nerves. "What would you be doing in that time?"

Padme's posture shifted from confident and decisive to unsure quicker than a ship going into hyperspace. "I-I don't know," she stuttered.

Why doesn't that surprise me? Obi-Wan thought to himself. But before he could say anything else since he knew the only way to keep Padme out of this was to use brutal honesty, she came up with something else. "I can get you to Corellia. You can board my ship-," she tried, and Obi-Wan closed his eyes when he saw the blasted woman was making a good point although it was still dangerous since the Imperial Navy was keeping a tight watch over the entire galaxy.

He turned to Master Windu when he heard the Jedi Master's voice in his mind. She makes good points, Obi-Wan.

True, but I don't want her coming. Master, Anakin lost his Force abilities because of Padme, and we both know how much he'd lost whatever infatuation he'd had for her. This will blow up in our faces; Anakin is not the most forgiving of people if you push a certain way.

Then that will be a benefit.

For some, but not for us. We need to speak to Anakin and find a way of persuading him to do something about the test ship. The last thing we need is a politician with delusions of grandeur getting in the way.

I don't like it either, believe me, Obi-Wan. Ideally, you and I would be going on our own. But if we can use her to get us to Corellia faster then it would save us time.

And what would happen when we arrive on Corellia? The problem with Senator Amidala is she is very stubborn, and she never does as she is told. Even if we told her not to come with us then she will disobey. In any case, her thoughts about Anakin are not ones I think he'd share.

A mental sigh came through the connection. We have no alternative, Obi-Wan. But while we're en-route to Corellia, we can discuss ideas of keeping her away from Skywalker.

Obi-Wan wasn't sure of that, but he closed his eyes in exasperation before he turned to Padme. "Alright, Padme. You can take us to Corellia," he began but he went on quickly as a smile of triumph spread across the woman's face, "but when we get there, we don't want you to interfere with Anakin; you've done enough damage as it is."

"Me?" Padme repeated, glaring at them with disbelief. "What about you? You broke whatever link you had with him, and you removed his Force powers. How do you think he's going to react when he sees you, Masters Kenobi and Windu."

As much as Obi-Wan wanted to believe otherwise, he knew she had a point and he cursed her for it. But at the same time, he was trying to think of the best way to handle this situation. He knew Anakin, knew how dangerous his moods and his anger could be, but he didn't know just how much his former apprentice had changed in the years since they'd last met. In truth, Obi-Wan was dreading it. He only hoped they could meet on their own since he had gotten along better with Anakin than Master Windu ever had even if Anakin had always respected the elder Jedi Master.

But Padme…

Obi-Wan knew she was an important element in getting them to Corellia without troubles, but he had no idea what Anakin would do if he saw her again. The worst-case scenario would be Anakin losing his temper and physically going for Padme, but he doubted it would happen since Anakin wasn't that type of man. What had happened on Naboo didn't count; that was more down to Palpatine's manipulations of Anakin than anything else, and it only made him regret not trying to stop it from happening in the first place, but considering what he knew now of Palpatine and what had happened with Vader, Obi-Wan dreaded to think what could have happened to Anakin in the long term if Anakin had been turned.

And Padme would have been at the centre of it all.

Palpatine would have used Anakin's former attachment to her for his own ends, and he would have likely gained a young, powerful apprentice. If there was one thing all Masters - Light and Dark - had in common, it was a desire to train the most gifted, the most powerful. Obi-Wan's training for Anakin had always been challenging, but that was only because of the boy's personality. Anakin had always been headstrong, but at the same time he had been curious and he had put a lot of effort into getting everything right. Obi-Wan had lost count of the number of times he had woken up early and found Anakin had slipped out and had gone somewhere in the Temple to either read or to practice his Force powers, particularly the ones he had always had a problem with.

To cut it all off had been one of the hardest things he'd ever needed to do. Obi-Wan knew one of his biggest drawbacks was he was just not the sort of man to defy the Jedi Council, never mind their Code.

But while he was upset at the reminder, the emotion he was feeling the most was a wave of slow anger. "I don't need to be reminded of the past, especially by you," he told the senator calmly, but she knew him well enough to know he was getting annoyed and she was crossing the line, "I'm just worried about your presence."

"And what about my presence?" Padme hissed.

"I just think it would be a bad idea if you met with Anakin," Obi-Wan knew he was crossing a line himself with what he was saying to her since there was a strong possibility Padme could change her mind easily, and say they could fend for themselves, but he didn't care. In any case, Obi-Wan doubted very much she would do that; Padme wanted to see Anakin, even though a part of her must accept the fact no matter what, Anakin would just dismiss her.

There was no doubt in his mind that it was going to happen. He had sensed Anakin's hurt when Padme had reported him in the Council chamber in the Temple, and he knew Padme was likely not one of his favourite people anymore, next to him of course. But Padme refused to believe it. She seemed to be under the belief that after speaking to him for a few minutes, Anakin would be wrapped around her little finger.

No chance.

Padme needed to learn not every problem could be solved with diplomacy.

"Just say what you're trying to say, Obi-Wan!"

Obi-Wan sighed under his breath. He had been hoping to say this as tactfully as possible otherwise he and Mace really would be spending weeks getting to Corellia. "Alright, I know you are holding out hope Anakin will return whatever romantic feelings you're showing. Your mind is easy to read, Padme. It's impairing your judgement."

Obi-Wan and the other onlookers could honestly say they had never seen the good senator so angry before. Her face was a picture.

"How dare you-!" Padme's voice was hoarse while her petite frame shook with rage, her face incandescent with rage.

"You can't deny it," Obi-Wan interrupted. "Padme, trust me. Anakin does not love you anymore. I saw it in his mind while the Council were punishing him. He knew what he had done was wrong, but when you threw it in his face he lost whatever love he felt for you. Believe me, Padme. If you just take us to Corellia, fine. But don't meet him yourself. You won't like what you find."

"But if I can speak to him-."

"It won't make any difference. Look, I know Anakin. Far better than you do. I spent ten years as his Master between the Battle of Naboo and when Palpatine had those Bounty Hunters chasing you; you may have spent time with him when you were both children, but Anakin the young man is different. The more you argue with him, try to make him see a different point of view, the more stubborn he will become. Trust me, it isn't worth it. In any case, you are partly the reason he has lost a good deal of what made him who he was. Do you really think he will forgive that?" Obi-Wan asked, feeling Master Windu's irritation and impatience through the Force. Well, he knew how the senior Jedi Master and Champion of the Order felt. He felt certain he was going round and round in a loop. If this was anything that Padme's former competitors and rivals in the senate felt, then he pitied them even more.

"I have to try," Padme went on stubbornly.

Obi-Wan closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Alright, fine," he said, tired of arguing with her. "Come with us, but don't get your hopes up."

Are you sure this is wise?

Obi-Wan wasn't surprised to hear the question from Master Windu. I know its not wise, Master. But the problem with Padme here is she thinks with her emotions rather than her common sense, and now she realises how wrong she was in the first place, she refuses to believe Anakin won't react badly when they meet. She will come with us, and truthfully I think its a good idea if she does. She needs to wake up, and she will, especially if Anakin rejects her.

I don't think I will ever understand romance, Obi-Wan heard Master Windu sigh mentally.

Neither will I, Master, neither will I. Still, I know one thing…

What?

Anakin will likely break her heart, and truthfully I can't say I truly care.