Obi-Wan and Anakin were sitting in the waiting room of the therapist's office. Two days prior, Elan had gone home after helping Obi-Wan take care of the house. Anakin didn't summon the energy to help with painting the motel, so the others decided to wait till he was up to it. Elan didn't visit the next day in an effort to give Anakin the space he needed. Obi-Wan made the required appointment with Dr. Kannon Dooku, and he was really, truly hoping it would do some good for the both of them, even if Anakin was the one who the appointment was for.

Dooku opened the door to his office and said, "Come on in." It was located in a building separate from the school. Obi-Wan wondered how the school could afford it.

"It's alright if I stay with Anakin, right?" Obi-Wan asked as they stood. The words had come out of his mouth before he'd gotten a good look at Dr. Dooku. He recognized him suddenly as the man who wanted room number 9 at the nonexistent General's Motel.

"Of course," Dooku said, his voice a deep reverberation in the room. Anakin fought the impulse to reach for Obi-Wan's hand. This whole thing made him uncomfortable. He and Obi-Wan both took seats in the office as Dooku closed the door behind them.

"Now," Dooku began, taking a seat across from them, "Anakin, is it?"

Anakin nodded.

"Why don't you tell me a little about yourself?"

Anakin kept his mouth shut. Obi-Wan tried to send loving thoughts his way.

"I'll go first, if you'd like," Dooku said. Anakin waited for him to say something. Dooku sat forward and said, "I'm from out of town, but I lived here in Coruscant several years ago. It was smaller then, if you can believe that. I studied at the University of Serenno so I could become a psychologist."

Anakin avoided his eyes and studied the pattern of the rug on the floor. "I was born in Tatooine," he said, "and I grew up there and in Naboo. I don't know what I want to be when I'm older."

"Really?" Dooku replied, though he sounded more fascinated than like a concerned relative. Obi-Wan felt a little concerned. Dooku continued, "You don't have any ideas?"

"I have some," Anakin said, "I'd like to help my father run the motel. That would give me some business experience. And I might like taking care of the guests."

"Perhaps you'd like to be a father yourself," Dooku suggested. "Having a family is a noble goal to strive for."

Anakin blushed and glanced at Obi-Wan. "I'd like that," he said, "but I don't think that's going to happen anytime soon."

Obi-Wan laughed softly, thinking of Elan.

Dooku sat back and crossed his legs, having observed the exchange between the two. "My next question for you, Anakin, is why you're in my office today."

Anakin pressed his lips together. "I beat up my classmate, Maul Opress."

"Yes, I'm aware," he replied, "I'd like to know why you resorted to violence."

"I was angry," Anakin said.

"Why?"

Anakin dodged the question. "He's used violence against me, so the only way I could think of to make him stop was to show I could defend myself."

"Except he didn't attack you first this time," Dooku stated, "So what made you strike him?"

"Is this confidential?" Anakin asked.

"Entirely," Dooku said.

Anakin scrutinized him before responding. "Maul was insulting my boyfriend, so I stood up for him."

"Ah. Who is your boyfriend?"

"Elan Sel'Sabagno," Anakin replied, glad he'd figured out the pronunciation of Elan's last name.

"Do you go to school with him?"

"No, he dropped out last year. But he's decided to go back. He wants to be a doctor."

"How wonderful. So the two of you have a good relationship?"

"Yeah," Anakin said, "He's very supportive of me. I try to be the same for him."

"What would you say your relationship is with your father?" Dooku asked.

"The same," Anakin said. Obi-Wan urged him to say more. "I mean, not entirely the same," Anakin revised, "Just that we support and love each other." Anakin looked at Obi-Wan. "He takes good care of me, even though he's had to do it alone for a long time."

"I see," Dooku said, noting Obi-Wan's sad smile. "You said you grew up in Tatooine and Naboo. Now you're living in Coruscant. Why have you moved around so much?"

"Tatooine wasn't the most pleasant of places. We stayed for Mother. We moved after she passed away."

"And you left Naboo because…?"

Anakin hesitated and Obi-Wan said, "There was an unfortunate accident resulting in the death of my girlfriend."

"My condolences," Dooku said seriously. "Anakin, can you tell me what sort of effect her death had on you?"

Obi-Wan thought to him, Be careful.

Anakin wasn't sure why Obi-Wan wanted him to be careful, but he chose his words wisely anyway. "I wasn't close to her. Her personality was very different from Mother's."

"How so?"

"She lacked kindness," Obi-Wan said, "where I was concerned. She usually ignored the kids."

Dooku made somewhat of a vexed face before turning to Anakin again. "Have you had any other female figures in your life to look up to?"

Anakin sighed. "My sister, I guess. Father is enough for me. I don't need another mother."

Obi-Wan wiped a drop of sweat from his brow.

"Perhaps lack of a mother has made you overly masculine. Violent."

"I—" Anakin started. "I don't think so. Father is a good role model—he's never hurt me—he doesn't like to hurt others. It was a one-time thing. I don't think violence makes me more of a man. I just don't like Maul."

"That's fair, I suppose," said Dooku. "I've heard about some of the controversy surrounding the Kenobi Motel since my arrival. Is it true that the former Sheriff Cody was responsible for General Grievous' death?"

"You ought to talk to the police about that," Obi-Wan stepped in, "They know more than I would."

"I'm not so sure about that," he replied. "Anakin, can you tell me how Sheriff Cody's relationship with your father has affected you?"

Anakin shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "I'd rather not talk about it."

"Did you ever witness Sheriff Cody hurt your father? Hit him?"

Obi-Wan was aghast. Anakin flashbacked to when he found that hole in the wall between the motel parlor and Room 1.

"I did," Anakin said shakily.

"How did that make you feel?"

"Horrible!" Anakin exclaimed.

"You didn't feel your father should have fought back?"

"He did, and he was right to."

"So you support his use of violence?"

Anakin huffed. "Father isn't violent. He only defended himself. He doesn't deserve…" Anakin trailed off as he noticed Obi-Wan's swirling emotions. Anakin held out his hand for him and Obi-Wan took it.

"My actions are not dependent on him," Anakin concluded. "I know it was wrong to act the way I did. Can we leave now?"

Dooku observed him a moment longer before he answered, "Yes, you may, Anakin. Though I think another visit would be beneficial for you. Mister Kenobi…"

"Yes?" he replied quietly.

"I'd like to have a word with you. Privately."

Anakin looked at Obi-Wan with concern. "I'll be right out, honey. Go ahead."

Anakin left the two of them reluctantly. Dooku turned his attention to Obi-Wan.

"Mister Kenobi, I think you may have some control issues over your son."

"Why do you say that?" Obi-Wan said defensively.

"You stepped in several times to answer questions I asked him. I could see the warning in your eyes when you looked at him."

"I think you might have a powerful imagination," Obi-Wan replied.

"Excuse me?"

"I'm just protecting my son from your invasive questions," Obi-Wan said, standing up, "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd like to leave with him and never come back."

"Mister Kenobi, please, don't make such a rash decision."

Obi-Wan was out the door. He put his arm around Anakin's waist and walked him out of the office.

In the parking lot, Anakin said, "Father, I'm so sorry—"

"It's okay, baby. It's not your fault. Everyone around here is so nosy—"

Anakin stopped walking and held Obi-Wan's face so he could kiss his cheek over and over. "I wish you didn't have any bad memories, Father. I love you so much."

Obi-Wan relaxed and wrapped his arms around Anakin. He was glad Anakin wasn't mad at him anymore. "Thank you."

Anakin faced him and stroked his cheeks with his thumbs. "I don't have to go back there again, do I?"

Obi-Wan smiled. "Nope. I told him we weren't coming back."

Anakin laughed. "Thank the stars."

Anakin went back to school the following day. Things went smoothly and Anakin was able to focus for a longer period of time. Resting over the weekend had done him some good, it seemed. He was still in school when Obi-Wan returned from the grocery store.

Obi-Wan entered the house and found someone in the family room. Two antennapalps stuck up over the back of the couch.

"Elan? Is that you?" Obi-Wan called.

Elan turned towards his voice and peered over the couch cushions. "It's me," he called back.

Obi-Wan set down the bags of groceries and stepped into the room as he said, "Anakin is still at school."

"I can come back later," Elan replied, a small tremor in his voice.

Obi-Wan nearly gasped when he saw Elan's face. His nose was dripping blood and swollen, along with his cheek and jaw, marring one side of his face into a lumpy mess. Obi-Wan rushed to his side and held Elan's shoulders so he wouldn't try to come back later. "Elan, what happened to you?" Obi-Wan implored.

Elan attempted to look the other way and brought a bloody tissue back to his nose. He closed his eyes as tears threatened to spill over.

"Was it your father? You can tell me," Obi-Wan said, "I'll protect you, I promise."

Elan took a deep, shuddering breath and met Obi-Wan's eyes. "I—" he started, and then held a hand to his jaw, wincing.

"Here, let me," Obi-Wan said softly. He raised his hand to Elan's face and healed it carefully. His cheek turned tan and smooth again. His nose stopped bleeding, although what hadn't been soaked up by the tissue remained on his skin. His jawline straightened out. Elan breathed heavily until the pain subsided. When Obi-Wan was finished, he withdrew his hand and asked again, "What happened?"

"I..." Elan said, not sure where to start. He put the bloody tissue in his coat pocket and fidgeted with his hands. "It wasn't my father. I decided I didn't want to sell drugs anymore and a couple of my regulars reacted badly. One was... really bad." He gestured to his face and met Obi-Wan's eyes for just a second before they returned to his lap.

"That's very brave of you," Obi-Wan replied, smiling kindly at him.

Elan felt like he still owed Obi-Wan an explanation. "My dad, you know, he's an addict. I don't want to be like him. Or help others be like him." Anger rose in his throat. "I don't want this anymore," Elan said, digging out credits from his pocket. He threw them on the table. "Drug money, dirty money, I don't want it." He looked to Obi-Wan, hoping he hadn't acted out. Obi-Wan stood up and went to the kitchen, returning with a damp towel. He sat by Elan's side and began wiping the blood away from Elan's face.

"I'm very proud of you," he said.

Elan's bottom lip trembled.

Obi-Wan cleaned him up as best he could and then asked, "Is there something else I can heal for you?" His eyes flicked over Elan's body but he didn't see anything else wrong.

Elan shook his head and squeezed his eyes shut before throwing himself into Obi-Wan's arms. "I wish you were my dad!" he cried.

Obi-Wan's lips parted in surprise. He got over it and hugged him back. "It's alright, Elan. I'm here for you. Things are going to get better."

Elan snuffled.

Obi-Wan passed soothing fingers through his hair. "Anakin will be home soon. We can have dinner together. Maybe even paint the motel."

Elan sat back and rubbed his eyes on his coat sleeve. "I'd like that," he said.

Obi-Wan smiled. "Help me put the groceries away?"

"'course." Elan didn't feel so sad anymore.

When Principal Palpatine had finished with his daily duties, he called Dr. Dooku into his office. The two talked quietly as Palpatine sipped from a large cup of caf.

"It was most clever of you to require Rush visit me," Dooku complimented.

Palpatine sneered. "Yes, it was. What did you learn about him?"

"He is the definition of obsessed."

"Really?"

"Rush hides it well. But under the guise of psychologist, I was able to get him to spill."

"Well done, my friend. Is he a danger?"

"Yes, I believe so. He admitted to dreaming about the boy frequently. He's says he wouldn't touch him, but we already know…"

"He already has," Palpatine finished. "What did you uncover about the boy?"

"He's very attached to his father. He's encountered much violence as of late, and maybe even in his childhood. His midi-chlorian count would suggest his father is more than we think he is."

"A Jedi?"

"Yes."

Palpatine made a face at the last bitter swallow of his caf. "It makes sense," he said, "I didn't believe for a second that pathetic Sheriff could have taken down Grievous."

"I agree. But Mister Kenobi..."

"Yesss?"

"He's weak."

"And his son?"

"Harder to tell. I think he needs a push."

"Did you discover any of his weaknesses?"

"Besides his father? He's got a boyfriend."

Palpatine nearly rolled his eyes as he went to refill his caf. "Of course he does," he said, "Who?"

"Elan Sel'Sabagno."

"Oh, I remember him."

"So what should we do?" Dooku asked.

Palpatine turned around slowly, deliberating. "Kill the boy."

Anakin came home after school and dumped his backpack at the bottom of the stairs. He plopped himself on the couch and closed his eyes, music blasting in his headphones. A pair of hands were placed over his eyes and Anakin tensed at first, then heard a sweet-sounding, "Guess who?"

Anakin pulled off his headphones and whipped around. "Elan!" he cheered.

Elan smiled as Anakin grabbed him and somehow pulled him over the back of the couch and across his lap. "I missed you so much," Anakin said.

"Missed you too," Elan said, his arms still around Anakin.

"I'm really sorry about Friday," Anakin professed. "Can you forgive me?"

Elan caressed his cheek. "S'already done," he said.

"Oh, you're the best," Anakin replied, grinning. "How long have you been here?"

"Awhile," Elan said, "Your dad kept me company."

"Everything alright?"

"It's perfect," Elan decided, smiling.

"Where's Father?"

"Getting all the paint brushes and buckets together for the motel."

"Sounds fun!" Anakin said enthusiastically. Elan wondered if all this energy was simply from his surprise visit. Anakin patted Elan's arm so they could stand up and trot down to the motel. Obi-Wan was waiting for them.

"I see you found your surprise," Obi-Wan teased.

Anakin rubbed Elan's chest with the hand that wasn't draped around his shoulders. "That's right. And I'm so happy you're both here."

Obi-Wan smiled and handed each of them a paint brush. "Let's get started then, shall we?"

Several cracked open cans of paint, stained clothes and splattered faces later, the motel was a cheery but subtle sunshine yellow, with white window panes and lightly stained wooden doors. It was quite the improvement from the crackled white walls and dusty gray windows. Obi-Wan observed Anakin's paint-covered clothes and said, "You better step into the shower. I'll put your clothes in to soak and bring you a new set."

Anakin hadn't showered in the motel before and was eager to try it out. Obi-Wan looked Elan over and decided his clothes would stain soon too. "I'll get you something to change into, Elan," he offered. "Just wait till Anakin's done with the shower and then he'll tell you how to use it."

Elan smiled. Motels always had funny showers—they all worked a different way. "Thank you, Mister Kenobi."

"You can call me Obi-Wan," he said, "Or—" He stopped abruptly.

Elan had a feeling about what he'd almost said.

"Come on, Father," Anakin jumped in, "I need you in the bathroom so I can hand you my clothes."

"Right," said Obi-Wan. The three of them clambered into the closest motel room and Anakin undressed in the shower—an ironic show of modesty for him. Elan sat on the bed as Obi-Wan collected Anakin's clothes and went to throw them in the washing machine in the basement of their house.

A moment passed of the shower running and Elan sitting quietly on the bed. Then he stood and knocked on the open bathroom door.

Anakin stuck his head around the shower curtain, his hair all soaped up. "Elan," he said, "What are you doing?"

Elan stepped into the bathroom and leaned against the wall. "Nothing," he said nonchalantly.

"My father would kill me if he found you in here," Anakin replied.

"Then don't tell him."

Anakin gawked at him. Some soap started to drip into his eye so he ducked back under the shower head. He could sense Elan was still there in the room with him. With his hair rinsed out, he pulled the curtain around his face again.

"What do you want, Elan?"

"I'd just like to see you, if that's alright."

Anakin turned red.

"I've had your cock in my mouth, so there's only so much left to show me."

Anakin scoffed and hid behind the curtain again. He finished cleaning himself with the pine-scented motel soap, rinsed off, then tried to gear himself up. "You ready?" he asked.

Elan listened for Obi-Wan but determined he wasn't nearby. "Ready," he said, grin on his face.

Anakin drew back the curtain and stood still as Elan looked him over. Then he played at flexing his muscles, entertaining some of the confidence Obi-Wan had given him a few days ago.

Elan caught Anakin's eyes again, still smiling, but cheeks slightly pink. "You're getting water all over the floor," he said.

Anakin sucked in a breath at the bit of flooding he'd caused and pulled the curtain back around him. He thought it would've been sexier if he let the water pour over him. He turned off the water promptly.

Elan took a towel and mopped up the floor with Anakin still behind the curtain. "You look even better than I imagined," he told him.

Anakin almost laughed. "What did you imagine?"

"I dunno, something like one of those angel paintings."

This time Anakin did laugh. He swiped a towel off the rack and wrapped it around his hips before stepping out of the shower. "You're too good to me, Elan."

Elan hung up the towel he held and faced Anakin. "I could never be too good to you."

Anakin pulled him close despite his dripping wet body. "Hey, I've got an idea," he said.

"What is it?"

"It's a little crazy," Anakin replied, "so don't laugh."

Elan pulled away to smirk at him. "Promise."

"What if we get married?"

"What?" Elan blurted.

"I know you're gonna move in and stuff, but I thought, why not make it more permanent?"

"Anakin, I don't know."

"Just think about it," he said, a glimmer in his eyes, "We'd always have each other to lean on."

"We're only seventeen!" Elan exclaimed.

"Father got married at seventeen the first time around."

"That was different," Elan insisted, "He had a baby on the way."

"But he loved Satine."

"I love you, Anakin. Really."

"If it doesn't work out, then it doesn't work out. You can tell your future husband or kids or whoever about that one time you got married and had your whole world rocked by my angelic body."

Elan burst into laughter. "I don't know if I'd wanna tell my kids that."

Anakin smiled, rubbing Elan's arms through his coat. "What do you think, Elan? Will you marry me?"

Elan bit his lip. "Yes."

"Did you say yes?"

"Yes! You got a plan in mind?"

"The courthouse. Maybe this weekend?"

"God, Anakin, I can't believe we're doing this. Is it even legal for us?"

"Last time I checked."

"At our age?"

"Yeah." Anakin couldn't stop smiling. Elan hugged him again. Obi-Wan returned and planned to knock on the bathroom door but found it far from closed.

"Hey, kiddos," he said awkwardly, "I brought you some clothes."

Elan stepped back from Anakin, a hand on his mouth to cover his smile. "Anakin was just showing me how the shower worked," he explained.

Anakin made sure his towel was secured around him and spared a happy glance at Obi-Wan. "Ah, yes. Turn on the water by twisting this knob. It will come out here unless you flick the switch—" Anakin demonstrated, "Then it will come through the shower head. Use this knob for hot or cold."

"Got it," Elan replied, and shed his paint-splotched coat. He took the folded stack of clothes Obi-Wan offered him and handed him his coat and pants, saying, "Thank you, Dad."

Obi-Wan might have melted into a puddle right there. "You boys will be the death of me," he determined, and handed Anakin his clothes. He walked out of the motel room and tried to enjoy the view while paint fumes were still emanating from the walls.

After cleaning up, drying off, and getting dressed, Anakin and Elan were standing on the porch of the motel, holding each other close and swaying gently.

"You need a ride?" Anakin asked.

"Nah," Elan said, "My car's around the bend."

"You sure you don't want help packing?"

"I got it," Elan replied, smiling up at him, his arms hooked behind Anakin's shoulders, "I'm just gonna pack what I need for the night. You know, toothbrush, pajamas, teddy bear."

Anakin giggled. "We'll have dinner ready for you," he said, "Be home soon." He dipped his head into the curve of Elan's neck and left tiny nibbling kisses that tickled him.

"I will! Sheesh!" Elan turned so he could mash his mouth against Anakin's. They pulled apart and Elan whispered, "My fiancé."

Anakin beamed. "My fiancé. Go, get outta here," he teased.

Elan gave him one last kiss and walked away, his swagger visible in Anakin's t-shirt and old blue jeans. Anakin heard his yellow car vroom to life as he took the stairs to the house. Once inside, Anakin found Obi-Wan upstairs, having just gotten out of the shower.

"Father," he sang outside the door.

Obi-Wan smiled and toweled off before pulling on his white robe. He opened the door and stepped into the hallway. Anakin leaped into his arms.

"What's gotten into you, darling?" Obi-Wan asked, his arms curled around him tight.

"I'm just happy," Anakin said.

"Well, that's fine by me." He kissed Anakin's ear and nuzzled his nose in Anakin's hair. "Has Elan gone to pack?"

Anakin let go of Obi-Wan to face him and answered, "Yes. Thank you so much, Father. I can't wait to have him here."

Obi-Wan felt such warmth in his heart it must have been bleeding out of Anakin. "I'm looking forward to it, too," he replied. "Shall we get dinner going?"

Anakin nodded and started down the stairs with Obi-Wan behind him. "I was thinking we could make something special. Pie, maybe. Or Sic-Six-layer cake. And roast for dinner."

"That sounds delicious," Obi-Wan said, smiling. "I think roast will take too long, but we can do one of those desserts." They reached the bottom of the stairs and soon Obi-Wan was looking through the pantry. "Anakin, it might have to be a Sic-Three-layer cake," he called back to him.

Anakin was setting the table. "That's alright. Let's go to the store and buy meatloaf or something."

Obi-Wan closed the pantry and shook his head at Anakin's eagerness. "First off, I have to get dressed. You can go ahead and make a list."

"Okay," Anakin said, "but hurry! I told Elan we'd have dinner prepared when he got back."

Obi-Wan headed for the stairs again. "I'll be ready at the speed of light," he promised.

Anakin tried to recall how long it took for the sun's light to reach them down on the ground.

Obi-Wan got ready quickly and went to Pilot Outpost with Anakin, returning home within twenty-five minutes. Anakin texted Elan to say, We have a special dinner planned for tonight!

A few minutes later Elan texted back, Can't wait! I'm getting you something special, too.

Anakin smiled a little and put his phone back in his belt. He started stirring the white cake mix again as Obi-Wan poured the red velvet batter into a cake pan.

When the cake layers had cooled, Obi-Wan and Anakin stacked one on top of the other, then covered it in frosting and sprinkles and little sweet fruits. Obi-Wan put the cake in the fridge and started peeling potatoes to mash. Once everything was prepared about an hour later, Anakin texted Elan again. Food's ready! You need some help packing after all?

There was no response for a few minutes, so Anakin poured himself a soda and sat at the table. He pulled his phone out again.

Elan? You there?

Still no response. Obi-Wan sipped from an iced tea next to him. "Father, I'm worried," Anakin said.

Obi-Wan's brows pushed together. "What did he say last?" he asked.

"He was getting me something special."

"Perhaps he needed more time to look," Obi-Wan suggested.

A deep frown carved its way into Anakin's face.

"Did you try calling him?" Obi-Wan asked.

Anakin shook his head and tapped the call button on his cell. It went to Elan's voicemail after a few rings. Hi, it's Elan. I can't reach the phone right now—

Anakin hung up and dialed again.

Hi, it's Elan. I can't reach the phone—

He dialed again.

Hi, it's Elan. I can't reach—

Again.

"Anakin," breathed the voice on the phone.

Anakin stood straight up. "Elan? Are you alright?"

"I'm at… your front… door," he said.

Anakin raced to the door and threw it open. His phone cracked against the floor. Elan was standing there, holding blood-red hands to his stomach. He collapsed against Anakin.

Anakin's eyes were wide as marbles as he sat down with Elan and propped him up. He summoned all the strength of his voice and yelled, "Father!" then, "Obi-Wan!"

Obi-Wan came running as Anakin gaped at his blood-soaked t-shirt on Elan.

"It wasn't you," Elan mumbled, "It wasn't you, it wasn't you, it wasn't you—"

Obi-Wan knelt opposite Anakin and tore open the t-shirt, revealing wound after wound.

"Help me heal him!" Anakin cried.

"Let me heal him—you keep your hand here," Obi-Wan grabbed Anakin's hand and held it to Elan's lower stomach, "We have to keep him from losing more blood—"

Elan moaned.

"I've got you, I've got you," Anakin repeated, cradling Elan's shoulders with his free arm.

"Your eyes are b-blue," Elan said.

"Yeah," Anakin said, confused and in shock, "Yeah, they are."

Obi-Wan closed his eyes and held his hands over Elan's body.

"Aghhh!"

"I'm sorry, Elan—I know it hurts," Anakin soothed, "You're gonna be fine, just fine…"

Some of the stab wounds closest to his heart sealed shut and Obi-Wan moved his hands slightly lower.

Elan gripped Anakin's tunic with all his strength to keep from screaming.

"Elan, look at me," Anakin said.

He did.

Anakin waved his hand over Elan's face. "You don't feel any pain," he told him.

"I don't… feel any pain," Elan replied, relaxing just so.

"Keep your hand on him, Anakin!" Obi-Wan yelled.

Anakin pressed his hand firmly on the wounds below where Obi-Wan was working.

Elan glanced down at himself and shrieked in horror, now comprehending the extent of his injuries.

Anakin waved his hand over his face again. "You don't see any blood," he swore.

"I don't see any blood," Elan said, and there was a tone of amazement there for an instant.

"Anakin!" Obi-Wan shouted.

Anakin jumped at his voice and placed his hand on Elan again, warmth pulsing over his fingers as if Anakin was holding Elan's heart in the palm of his hand.

"Ana-kin," Elan said, "Your surprise… It's in my pocket."

Anakin moved Elan as gently as he could to rest in his lap while Anakin reached into his pocket with the arm that had been holding him. He pulled out a gold ring.

"How did you—" he started.

"Drug money, honey," Elan replied weakly, a smile on his face.

Anakin felt a sob rock his body but he smiled back. He leaned down and kissed Elan, tasting blood on his lips, and Obi-Wan adjusted Anakin's hand, working frantically to heal him.

"Call an ambulance," he told Anakin, "Now!"

Anakin scanned the room and found his phone on the floor. He reached out and it flew into his hand. His fingers slipped over the buttons from sweat. "You're gonna be just fine, Elan… I need an ambulance sent to the Kenobi Motel right away!"

"Stay with me, Elan," Obi-Wan breathed, "Stay with us…"

"He's lost a lot of blood! Please hurry!" Anakin cast the phone aside and supported Elan again. "They're on their way," he announced, "You'll be alright."

"Anakin…" Elan said softly.

"Don't go," Anakin sobbed.

"A-na-kin," Elan replied, holding a shaky wet hand to Anakin's cheek, "I love…"

Elan went limp in his arms and Anakin screamed.

Obi-Wan couldn't move.

"I didn't get to tell him I loved him!" Anakin hollered.

Obi-Wan reached for Elan's bare neck and held his fingers to a vein. He swallowed hard. "His heart is still beating," Obi-Wan whispered, "Tell him now."

"I didn't get to show him!"

"Show him now," Obi-Wan urged.

Anakin sobbed the most harrowing sob Obi-Wan had ever heard. "Elan… Elan, please… Come back… I love you…"

Obi-Wan held a hand to his mouth as his grief overtook him, then he recoiled at the sticky touch. There was blood everywhere.

Padmé opened the front door, saying, "You'll never believe what happened today—"

She stopped dead and screamed.

The police and ambulance arrived in tandem, racing up the stairs to the house two by two with all sorts of equipment in hand. They were too late. Anakin refused to let them take Elan.

"Please, Anakin," Obi-Wan pleaded, "They have to take him."

"No!" Elan's pulse had eventually slowed to nothing, but Anakin still felt him there. He held Elan's body tighter.

Obi-Wan stood and looked at Rex with bleary red eyes. "Can he see him again?" he asked, "After they take him?"

Rex had a pallor cast over his face. "I think I can arrange that," he replied.

Obi-Wan knelt again. "Did you hear that, Anakin? You'll see him again. I promise you."

"Ple-e-ease," Anakin cried.

The paramedics stooped to try to pry Elan loose from Anakin.

"Stop! Stop it! He's mine!"

Rex knelt and asked Obi-Wan, "Is there anything I can do…?"

"Give us some space," Obi-Wan replied gently.

Rex nodded, straightened out, then gestured for the paramedics to back up as well.

"Anakin," Obi-Wan whispered.

Anakin didn't respond.

"Remember when you asked what the point of being a Jedi was?"

Anakin stroked Elan's cheeks and his hair, fingers gliding over his antennapalps and back across his jaw.

"Remember what I told you?" Obi-Wan pressed.

"Letting go," Anakin said bitterly.

"Uh-huh," Obi-Wan replied, "It's time to let go. You'll see him again."

Anakin wiped his face with a bloody sleeve. "Take him," Anakin said, "Just you."

Obi-Wan nodded and scooped Elan into his arms, the sight of his closed eyes making Obi-Wan want to weep all over again. He turned around and laid him on the stretcher.

Padmé hadn't managed to dry her tears. "What happened?" she muttered, a shock blanket around her shoulders. No one tried to answer her.

Obi-Wan helped Anakin stand and saw a dull look in his eyes. "Anakin?" he asked. "Can you hear me?"

Anakin didn't respond.

"No," Obi-Wan said, "No, not now—"

Rex approached slowly as the paramedics carried Elan away, a sheet placed over him. "Is he alright?" Rex asked.

Obi-Wan glanced at Rex but didn't reply just yet. "Anakin," he tried again. Anakin didn't show any response at all. He only stared in the direction of Elan. "Anakin, please, give me a sign," Obi-Wan begged. "I know you don't want to talk… Just look at me."

Anakin didn't.

"What's wrong with him?" Padmé asked.

"I think we should test him for shock—" Rex tried to say.

"Shush," Obi-Wan said. They were quiet as Obi-Wan guided Anakin into a chair in the family room. "He's done this before," Obi-Wan told them, still observing Anakin.

"What? When?" Padmé demanded.

"What is 'this,' exactly?" Rex asked.

"It's a defense mechanism," Obi-Wan said simply. "He's gone into his head."

Padmé and Rex shared a glance.

"Will he snap out of it?" Rex implored, "Do we need to do something?"

"Wait," Obi-Wan replied. "That's all you can do. I'll take him upstairs and…" Obi-Wan wasn't quite sure. "I'll get him some fresh clothes and tuck him into bed."

"Obi-Wan, I have some questions," Rex started.

Obi-Wan met him with hollow eyes. "I can't, Rex. I can't."

Rex blinked a few times. "Let me stay the night," he said, "You need the protection."

He didn't quite say killer on the loose, but the others got his meaning. "Alright," Obi-Wan said. Padmé held her blanket tighter around her and sobbed. Rex stood still a moment, then opened his arms for her, and Padmé let him comfort her. Obi-Wan tried to ignore her grief and led Anakin to stand up and follow him up the stairs. Anakin moved robotically, on auto-pilot.

Obi-Wan held Anakin's shoulders and steered him into the bathroom. He shut the door quietly and plugged the stopper into the tub drain, then twisted on the water. He held Anakin's face and called his name. Anakin looked at him for a second.

"Sweetheart," Obi-Wan said, relieved, "Everything's gonna be alright. Just stay with me, okay?"

Anakin's eyes drifted to the tub.

"I've got to get you out of these clothes. They'll be ruined soon. But it's just paint again, okay? Just paint."

"Paint," Anakin said, voice unreadable, but some sort of emotion was there.

"Yes," Obi-Wan said, "Paint. We're going to soak your clothes in the tub. And I'll help you get cleaned up." Obi-Wan gathered a few extra towels beside him and drizzled soap all over them before dipping them in and out of the tub. "Okay, Anakin," he said, facing him, "Are you ready?"

Anakin couldn't bring himself to undress.

"I can do it for you," Obi-Wan said, "and we'll get you into something clean right away. Okay?"

"Okay."

Obi-Wan took off Anakin's belt with shaking hands and let it fall to the floor. The synthleather would probably do okay in water. Obi-Wan pulled the tabards off Anakin's shoulders and placed those in the tub. Then off came his overtunic, and Obi-Wan pushed that under the water, and then Anakin's inner tunic. Underwater. Obi-Wan saw blood on Anakin's undershirt too, and pulled that over his head with a little help from Anakin. In the water. Then pants. Water. Obi-Wan could have sobbed again. Elan's blood had soaked all the way through.

"Anakin," Obi-Wan said softly, "There's paint on your underwear."

Anakin squeezed his eyes shut.

"I'm not going to touch you," he said, "I know you'll feel much better when you get some clean clothes."

Anakin nodded.

Carefully, Obi-Wan took hold of the waistband of Anakin's boxers and pulled them off before soaking them in the tub. Then he grabbed a soapy towel and scrubbed away the blood splotches on Anakin's chest, and stomach, and thighs, and the smeared handprint on his face. Anakin's skin rose up in a thousand tiny goosebumps.

"Cold, honey?" Obi-Wan asked.

Anakin held himself. "Yes."

Obi-Wan finished cleaning his body and snatched up his still slightly damp robe before having Anakin step into it. Anakin shivered. Obi-Wan guided him to the sink and ran that water too. He took Anakin's left hand gently and placed it under the stream, scrubbing with another towel, and then another to get the stubborn blood off. He used a little duck-shaped brush to get the stuff out from Anakin's nails. He reached for Anakin's other hand, although it was relatively clean. That hand was balled in a tight fist and Anakin wouldn't open it.

"Anakin," Obi-Wan called, a bit of an authoritative tone slipping in, "What have you got?"

"Elan's surprise," Anakin whimpered.

Obi-Wan held Anakin's wrist and Anakin uncurled his fingers slowly. A gold ring sat in the center of his palm.

"A ring," Obi-Wan stated, surprised. Then he looked at Anakin suddenly. "A wedding ring?"

Anakin nodded, tears slipping past his closed eyes.

Obi-Wan hugged him for dear life. "Let's get you dressed now," he said.

Anakin went with Obi-Wan to his bedroom, and put on the pajamas Obi-Wan picked out. He nearly fell over while stepping into the pajama bottoms and Obi-Wan rushed to catch him.

"I got it," Anakin spat.

Obi-Wan stepped back.

Anakin pulled on the pants and secured the buttons on the pajama top. He didn't feel cold now.

Did you make plans to get married? Obi-Wan thought.

Anakin's insides felt all twisted up. "He said yes," Anakin told him.

Obi-Wan's eyes welled with tears. "I'm so sorry, Anakin. Come with me?" he offered, gesturing to his room.

"No," Anakin said, "Get out."

"What?"

"I don't want to sleep with you! Get out!"

"Anakin—"

Anakin was crying again. "I hate you!" he yelled. "You didn't save him! I hate you!"

Obi-Wan was frozen.

"Out!" Anakin screeched, before pushing him towards the door. He kept pushing until Obi-Wan stumbled out of the room.

Anakin locked the door behind him and collapsed onto his bed.

"He doesn't want to sleep with you?" Padmé practically shouted.

Obi-Wan forced himself to face her. She must've come upstairs while Anakin was getting dressed. "Be a little quieter, please," he said, "That's not what Anakin meant."

Padmé crossed her arms, no longer wearing the shock blanket. "What did he mean?"

"He doesn't want to sleep in my room," Obi-Wan replied, his exhaustion poking at him. "It's comforting for him."

"I told you, he's too old for that."

"I figured the circumstances allowed an exception!"

Padmé nodded, and held herself with her crossed arms. "I want to know when Anakin has done that before. Gone into his head."

"Padmé, this isn't the time—" Obi-Wan began.

"It's exactly the time. I need to know if he's alright."

Obi-Wan studied her for a moment. "Where's Rex?" he asked.

"Downstairs, trying to salvage what's left of dinner," Padmé answered.

Obi-Wan rubbed his face as he recalled hearing a smoke alarm go off at one point. "The meatloaf…"

"Well, Obi-Wan, are you going to tell me?"

Obi-Wan grimaced and took her hand. They went to Padmé's room and Obi-Wan closed the door before sitting on the side of the bed with her.

"Padmé, you must know that I haven't told you this for Anakin's own protection. Alright?"

She waited patiently.

"You can't tell anyone."

"Alright," she said.

"Several months ago, we were still living in Naboo," he started.

Padmé almost smiled. "I know, I was there."

"Yes," Obi-Wan said, "but you were living by yourself as a Senator. Anakin and I were in the same little house with Asajj Ventress."

Padmé's eyes turned dark.

"Things stayed the same after you left. Except perhaps a few nights when they were especially bad."

Padmé wasn't sure she wanted to hear this story.

"Ventress had a hand in my hair," Obi-Wan said, demonstrating, "And a knife at my throat. Anakin was in the kitchen with us."

"No," Padmé said softly.

"She moved the knife and cut my arm," Obi-Wan continued, "And then she cut my thigh…"

"Obi-Wan—"

"Anakin was there. He saw it, he heard me—and he held out his arm and knocked over the china cabinet, killing Ventress."

"No!" Padmé cried.

"Hush, Padmé," Obi-Wan said, "There's more to this story. You must understand. Anakin doesn't remember any of it."

"What?"

"He'd gone inside himself. It had to have been unbearable, watching her hurt me like that. After he'd moved the china cabinet, I went to him, and his eyes were glazed over like earlier tonight. He didn't respond to anything I did. So I tucked him into bed and patched myself up as best I could. An hour later he was banging on the bathroom door, telling me there was an accident, come quick, Asajj has been…"

Padmé covered her face in horror. "Poor Anakin," she mumbled.

"That's why we need to protect him," Obi-Wan said, "He doesn't know. He doesn't need to know. And if anyone finds out about him, they might question what happened that day, if it was intentional."

Padmé said, "I won't tell anyone."

"Will you stay here and help me watch over him?"

Padmé looked like death. "I can't," she replied.

"Why?" Obi-Wan demanded.

"Not after tonight. I can't bear to stay here anymore."

"Anakin needs you," Obi-Wan pleaded, "I need you."

"I don't see what I can do to help," she said, tears threatening to brim over.

"Padmé—"

She stood and began walking out of the room, saying, "I'm going to make sure Rex has what he needs for the night."

Obi-Wan felt such emptiness when she'd left, he thought there'd be nothing left of him by morning.