Chapter One: What's at Stake Here?

As the Separatist rebellion rages through the galaxy, even peaceful planets are threatened.
Following the discovery of Separatist droids wandering the grassy wasteland, Naboo is once again on high alert. Fearing their home is facing another invasion, Senator Amidala and Representative Binks race to Naboo to assess the situation. Meanwhile, near the Gungan swamplands, an even graver threat is about to be discovered.

"I've never been to Naboo - is it nice?"

Master Kenobi - sitting on the ground of the transport - gave a hard snort, barely glancing from his datapad. "Ask your Master - I'm not exactly the person that has pleasant memories of the planet."

"Why?"

Anakin rolled his eyes, reaching down to pat R2-D2 fondly. "Let's just say your master and I have different experiences on Naboo."

Ahsoka cocked her head, not quite understanding. She didn't get a chance to ask for an explanation - the transport clunked, indicating that they were entering the atmosphere.

Captain Typho stared at the skyline, tapping his fingers against his arms while he waited. Anxious wasn't exactly a word he would use to describe what he was feeling. His uncle had trusted him to protect the Senator's life, and now...well, he had fucked up so many times he wondered what would happen.

But not with the Nubian Embassy - oh no, they trusted him.

It was a certain Jedi knight, whose ship was gliding into the hangar. Smoothly, Gregar noticed wryly.

"It appears Master Ani is not piloting," C-P3O muttered beside him.

"Master Ani?" Peppi Bow asked quizzically.

Gregar jogged to the transport - more to avoid the droid's praise of 'the maker' than anything. The transport doors hissed open, revealing -

"General Kenobi, Anakin, we're so glad -"

"Where's Senator Amidala?" Anakin asked, barely taking the time to clasp Gregar's hand in greeting.

Gregar sighed. "She went to look for the lab."

Anakin's eyebrows shot upwards. "And you let her go?

C-3PO waddled up to them, his feet clacking on the concrete floor. "Senator Padmé can be very hard to stop once she has made up her mind."

Anakin shook his head. "Good point. I know what you mean.

Gregar only just managed to stop a bemused smile, though he noticed General Kenobi smirk a little. He turned, gesturing to the Gungan farmer behind him. "This is Peppi Bow. She was the last person to see them. Padmé sent her here to safety."

"Theysa looking for the sick maker."

General Kenobi stepped forward, his heavy Coruscanti accent lilting."They"?

"Representative Binks was with her."

R2 chimed, rocking back and forth on his treads.

Anakin turned to the Padawan. "Go with the Gungan. See if you can find them.

"You've got it, Master."

Anakin stepped closer to Typho, watching the padawan walk away while murmuring, "Why didn't you send someone to look for them?"

Gregar held in a wince - he knew how protective the General was of Mistress Padmé. Aware General Kenobi had stopped fidgeting with his comlink, he spoke. "Considering the latest developments, we thought it was best to wait for you."

General Kenobi strolled up to them. "What latest developments?"

Anakin was pacing, walking fast and unable to still while they waited for Ahsoka's com in the hangar and the clone transports. He looked like shaavit warmed over, emotions bubbling from him in a mess of fear and worry and anger. "Where are they?"

Obi-Wan - leaning against cargo boxes - raised an eyebrow at him. "Patience. They'll be here in a moment...you seem a bit on edge."

Anakin didn't look at him - too busy pacing and grimacing and looking on the verge of a panic attack. "There's a good chance we're about to destroy all life on this planet, including ours and the Senator's, so yes, I'm a bit on edge. Why aren't you?"

On edge was an understatement. He is tense to the touch, barely able to move a muscle. This planet...this damn planet is where his life turned, completely and utterly.

He had hopes before landing on the damned, extravagant planet. Plans for the future that went up into smoke the second Maul stabbed Qui-Gon through the stomach.

Would he change having Anakin as an apprentice?

Once upon a time, yes. He would have traded everything, drawn back time, to the moment on that platform on Sundari -

No, no point in thinking of the past.

It's was the past for a reason.

Eyes trained ahead, at Anakin's irritated and restless walk - really Anakin, attachment is written all over your face - Obi-Wan gave a small shrug, leaning a forearm on his drawn knee.

"I'm better at hiding it."

Anakin glared at him, though -

Ahsoka's young voice chimed through the comlink. "Master, are you there?"

"Did you find her?"

"Negative. I'm pretty sure she's inside the lab. The whole area is wired with pressure sensors. There's no way to get in without being detected. But I'm more than happy to - "

Obi-Wan stood, pressing a button on Anakin's comlink and sending the geo-scans of the lab. "Do not attempt to get inside. I need you to detonate a bunker bomb at the south end of the facility. It should cause a nice distraction and seal off the bomb area while we come in through the hatches.

"You can count on me."

Anakin spoke gently. "Rex and his men will be right behind you Snips. They'll have your back."

Ahsoka cut the transmission, leaving the two of them in silence.

Obi-Wan glanced upwards when he heard clone transports whir into the hangar.

"Come on. We'd better hurry."

Obi-Wan stared at his padawan's back - okay, not padawan - while they walked to the now open transports. "Padmé may be lost, Anakin. Don't risk the mission trying to rescue her."

He watched Anakin lean heavily against the transport edge, feeling so...well... something. Carefully, he continued. "I'll take care of the bombs. You focus on the doctor."

Anakin turned around, his voice quiet. It looked like tears were shining in his eyes. "I know what's at stake here."

"I hope you do Anakin," Obi-Wan whispered, watching the transport fly away. "I hope you do."

Author's note: hello hello. I hope you guys like this chapter - we'll get into the nits and grits of this story in the next chapter ;)

It's always been my headcanon that Padmé's staff knew about Anidala's marriage - and I have a soft spot for Captain Typho for some strange reason.

Anyways, the next chapter of "Secrets" should be sometime this week and probably "Pictures" within the next two.

School started again, and I was keeping up with my various responsibilities...if you follow me on Tumblr, you know I received some potentially scary news about my health - yay chronic illness! - so I've been trying to cope with that.

I have only just started feeling better about it, and getting back on my feet gradually. So here you are my dears - Season 1 Obi-Wan Kenobi and newlywed Anakin Skywalker ;)

Enjoy

ii Digestive Reader ii