Night had arrived. The Jedi Temple now plunged in a sombre darkness, now was the time. Noticing a cold breeze, she reached for a robe placed on a nearby chair. It was dark blue, like the waters of Naboo. Before exiting the chamber, she quickly looked around to make sure no one or no Jedi would see her. There was not a soul to be seen…

Padmé knew it was folly. Here she was attempting to sneak around in a place full of force sensitive individuals surely, they would sense her presence. Anyone sane would give up and wisely turn back. Not Padmé Amidala.

She ventured out in the long corridor, measuring her steps as to not be heard, observing every door and entrance. The expedition continued for a quite some time, dreading she would be discovered, until she reached one door. For some unforeseen reason, it was as if a strange power or energy was beckoning towards it, begging her to enter. Without hesitation she pressed the opening switch to discover she was staring at the darkened inside of another medical room. Regardless of the darkness, the strange pull directed her gaze towards a figure lying in the middle of the room. The occupant seemed soundly asleep, one arm covered in tubes, dressed in a muted beige Jedi tunic. The covers had been drawn up over his shoulder to hide the missing limb. Anakin.

Hastily closing the door as quiet as she could, she calmly made her way towards him. Although asleep, his brow bore a pained sorrowful expression. It seemed the healing trance wasn't enough to effectively counter all the pain of his maiming, the grief of having lost his mother or the reality he couldn't be with the one he loved.

She sat next to him, caressing his face and holding his one good hand in her lap. His skin felt soft and warm to the touch; no longer stiff, cold and clammy back on the gunship. A small relieved smile formed; he was indeed getting better, but his eyes remained closed. Wondering if he could hear her, she bends down to gently whisper something in his ear:

"Anakin, if you can hear me, I'm here. I'll stay with you tonight."

Kissing his forehead, she then wondered if he might still fall pray to the cold. Sliding her long robe down her shoulders and positioning herself to lie next to him, she then placed the nightgown to recover them both. Head on his chest, sensing him breathing the loneliness and worry that plagued her dissolved a little. Hugging his waist protectively, it felt the whole world had somehow disappeared. All that mattered was that they were together for the time being.

While the night dragged on, she would stay with him.

Later, before daybreak

Obi Wan hadn't seen his apprentice since their arrival on Coruscant. In way, he had no desire to. His only preoccupation had been to confront Padmé Amidala and put a definitive end to this budding relationship before anything serious could occur. The Jedi master knew perfectly well his apprentice had been infatuated by the young woman ever since he'd been a small boy but seeing his affections where reciprocated disturbed him. Not only was it proof of his initial intuition, also that his teachings regarding the forbidden nature of attachment had not been strict enough.

Although his anger and disappointment towards Anakin was palpable, he couldn't but blame himself. He understood the reason behind his apprentice's stubborn need for emotional bonds, due to his early upbringing as a slave and the confusion of separation with his mother caused. Nevertheless, it was his duty as a master to instill within the boy the teachings of the Jedi Code. He owed it to himself and his late master.

Perhaps foolishly, he'd hoped the Senator of Naboo would understand and comply to his demands. Much like the Jedi, she was also engrained in duty. The fact she had refused him, challenged him and furthermore confounded him with his failings towards Anakin had truly unhinged him. The final blow had been the news of the passing of Shmi Skywalker, and the realization he had not felt her death in the Force.

He knew perfectly well his bond with Anakin was strained, but so grave as to prevent him from sharing the boy's pain was unthinkable. His refusal to listen, to trust, to half acknowledge his padawan's emotions then his constant (sometimes demeaning) lectures had driven a wedge between the two. Never in his wildest dreams had he thought the situation was that grave. He feared he would make things worse by forcefully separating Anakin and Padmé. Maybe the infatuation would fade away and his relationship with his padawan would mend itself with time. Otherwise, the consequences could be dire…

That very night, he had made the journey to the Temple's Halls of Healing before dawn in order to see his padawan and hopefully make amends if awakened. Instead, he was met with the very sight he had dreaded to contemplate. Padmé and Anakin, lying together in the darkness.

Padmé had by some miracle found Anakin without stirring any of the Jedi's attention, then fallen asleep next to him. One arm was settled around his waist, while her head lay on his chest, her long brown curls trailing down her back like a waterfall. Her expression was appeased, content as she held him in her sleep. Anakin's expression was equally serene. One could almost forget that he'd been through incredible visceral pain. There was a peace channelled in the force, emulating from the two. Realizing it, Obi Wan (although begrudgingly) could not help but be strangely moved, preventing him for disturbing the couples rest.

Despite this, Obi Wan felt as if he was the most singular fool in the entire galaxy. Unable to be shocked by the sight before him or act. Then the guilt re-emerged, far more powerful at poignant then when he tried to confront Padmé. There was no conceivable way to restore his bond with Anakin once he took Padmé away from him. He'd already filled the gap left by his master with her. She had become his rock, depriving him of her would no doubt fester the gapping wounds in their bond.

Whether he liked it or not, he had no choice. From now on, he would have to turn a blind eye. Without his apprentice knowing, he would acquiesce in this bond he shared with Padmé and reluctantly hope for the best. Reconcile his loyalty to the Jedi Code and his need to preserve the bond with his apprentice.

Accepting this the Jedi turned exited the room, leaving Anakin and Padmé blissfully unaware they'd just been discovered.

Authors notes:

So, this is my take on how Obi Wan "discovers" Anakin and Padmé's relationship and reluctantly agrees to turn a blind eye. This is a moral and emotional dilemma for him, but he doesn't know how far these two would go. Tell me what you think of this scenario with Obi Wan in the comments!

Lost of Anidala in this chapter! Tell me if you like it, as always, all reviews are appreciated!

The next section is technically going to be the last one, unless I get request to elaborate a bit more…

PS: Pour mes lecteurs francophones, dite moi si vous aimeriez qu'éventuellement je traduise cette histoire en français!

Merci