AN: Just to say, although I adore Obidala, its not present in this story. Any interaction between the two will be brother/sister.

Disclaimer: still not George Lucas…

ObiFan: Thank you so much once again! I did add it, but it's a little different since Ani is there...but I completely agree Obi-Wan is pretty much the best friend Padme has! He's even trying to smile for her during that scene! After all he went through :')

GirlFromNorth: Again, thank you! I've actually always really liked Leia. When The Phantom Menace came out I was really little and when my brother told me Princess Leia wasn't in the new SW movie I said "Why are we watching it then?" hehe (that was back when all boys had cooties) :D and the cookie stealing flashback had to be my favorite!

Protector

Padme hated all of this.

She hated the sight of the seemingly endless tears pouring down her young daughter's face. She hated the soft echo of pain in Master Windu's eyes. She hated the fear in Anakin's words and actions. And she hated the memory of her son's pale face contorting into horror and agony as the tearful healer broke the news.

But above all, she hated the thought of losing Obi-Wan, her dearest friend, almost her brother.

He was always caring for her, ever since he had leapt down that balcony to rescue her all those years ago. She will always remember him like that: strong, agile, blue eyes blazing but focused. He had arrived then, at the exact right moment, and he'd been protecting her and her loved ones ever since.

It's only fair then, that she did the same for him. After all, he was never invincible, no matter what the media used to say during the Clone Wars. He was human, and she'd never really believed Anakin when he used to rant about his Master not caring. Obi Wan always cared. He was just more subtle.

A very quiet, unfamiliar sound awoke the young queen of Naboo. She blinked several times, trying to grasp her surroundings. The darkness seemed to press up against her eyes. She turned on the lights, but nothing was out of the ordinary. No one but herself occupied the room, the music wasn't on, and the doors to the balcony were open.

Just below Padme's balcony were the palace gardens. She'd chosen this particular room as her own because of the beautiful balcony, forgoing the usual lavish quarters a queen traditionally enjoyed during her stay at Theed palace. She briskly walked out the doors and onto the terrace. Nothing was different, the scent of roses and lilacs rose up to meet her nose, the fountains bubbled softly, and a few birds serenaded the night.

Well, she was already awake. A short walk through the gardens wouldn't hurt. She slipped her violet robe over her simple white nightdress and made her way outside. The small garden was beautiful at night, illuminated by the gentle, ethereal moonlight. Padme felt as though she were walking in a dream.

It wasn't until she reached the far right corner of the garden that she found Obi Wan, sitting down next a large lilac bush cradling Qui Gon's lightsaber in his two palms. A very quiet moan emitted from his slightly parted lips from time to time. He must have felt her presence because two gray eyes snapped up to meet hers. In the moonlight, she could just make out the tear tracks on his cheeks. "M-Milady, I'm sorry. I didn't know that you-"

"Shh..." She couldn't take anymore. This poor man had simply been grieving and already he was jumping up and apologizing just because she'd caught him at it. She knelt down in front of him and placed a sympathetic hand on his shoulder.

"Cry"

He swallowed and his face contorted in sorrow. It started slowly at first-years of Jedi training forbidding such a display of emotion-but soon he broke down completely, sobbing like a man who had just lost his father. Automatically, she went to him and pulled his head down to rest on her shoulder.

That had been the beginning of a beautiful friendship founded on absolute trust. He'd been a bit embarrassed actually, once the tears had stopped. But she was a politician, with that job came the ability to diffuse an awkward situation. He'd been worried that he'd acted selfishly, unlike a Jedi Knight. She had been astounded, he could never be selfish. She'd told him so.

That was another thing amazing about Obi-Wan. He was the strongest, most selfless person she'd ever met. Yet, despite all that, he seemed convinced that he was the opposite.

"It was complete and utter selfishness, Padme. I shouldn't have done it."

"Obi Wan...you SAVED him. You saved us." She still couldn't grasp how he could ever consider his actions selfish. They'd saved an entire galaxy.

"Maybe you don't realize exactly what happened, but I brought you within close proximity of a SITH LORD!"

She had to smile a little at that. She'd been staring out the large window in her apartment when all of a sudden a very familiar star fighter had landed on her landing pad. Obi Wan. She'd ran to greet him, to congratulate him on yet another victory, when he'd grabbed her by the hand and pulled her toward the ship, frantically explaining that Anakin was in trouble and he needed her help.

"Maybe YOU don't realize that you and I are what stopped him."

This isn't a new revelation, she could see that in his eyes, but he still looked horribly guilty, as if he'd personally tried to kill her.

"Nevertheless, I compromised your safety. I brought you there, all because I couldn't stand the thought of Anakin turning. That was selfish, and I'm sorry."

She pulled him down next to her, in an effort to stop his relentless pacing. She didn't know how to articulate how she felt, but she had to try because Obi Wan shouldn't feel guilty. He was a hero.

"Obi Wan, Anakin turning to the dark side would have killed me. I care about him too, you know. I couldn't stand that thought either." She shuddered. "I'm glad you brought me. I wanted to help."

He sighed, still upset. He didn't meet her gaze either.

"What if you had gotten hurt? What if you'd died? He could've killed you, you know."

"I know," she reached out and pulled his chin up, "but Obi Wan, that didn't happen. I was in that room with two of the Order's finest Jedi Knights. I don't think Anakin would ever have allowed him to touch me. And you," she smiled at him "you I trust more than anyone else."

He still feels guilty about bringing her into Palpatine's office, to this very day. But she had been needed. A vision of the late Jedi Master Qui Gon Jinn apparently appeared to Obi Wan immediately after he'd killed Grievous. Although shocked beyond belief, Obi Wan had listened with mounting horror to the warning Master Jinn gave. He'd dropped everything and flew to Corusant to stop his errant apprentice and he'd felt he needed Padme to help anchor Anakin to the light. Padme was glad he'd brought her, and she knew Anakin was grateful too. She was also grateful that Obi Wan took the time to stop by her apartment to apologize (profusely) for placing her in danger. That way she could comfort him, tell him there was nothing to forgive.

Despite seeing him in such pain time and again, Obi Wan was still the strongest and most loyal person she knew. She'd betrayed him to be honest; kept a secret he should have been privy too. And yet, when everything was out in the open, he'd still stood by her.

Padme had never felt more shamed. She was standing outside the Jedi Council doors with Anakin. Their entire marriage was now well known, it was even in the holo news. Everyone had an opinion. Now, they were going to be brought before the Council to, well, explain themselves. She doubted Anakin would be allowed to stay in the Order, however. They were rather strict about the 'no attachment' rule. It'd take a miracle for the Jedi to reevaluate that.

A young Jedi padawan admitted them in and Padme stood, head held high, in the middle of the circle of Jedi Masters. All eyes focused on her. Anakin's arm went around her shoulders.

To her infinite surprise, Obi Wan Kenobi uncrossed his legs, stood up and walked over to stand right next to her. She managed to catch his eyes and he'd smiled and winked at her.

Obi Wan had supported the young couple through the entire judgment, calmly deflecting any and all accusations and forcing the Jedi to take a second look at their code.

"His attachment to the Senator may have caused him to almost turn. But many Jedi have come close to the dark. And in the end, his LOVE for Padme anchored him to the light."

In the end the Jedi had been swayed. Jedi were still to be wary attachment, but marriages were allowed if approved by the Council. A Jedi's education focused more now on eradicating selfishness rather than denying all attachments. It was just something else to add to the list of things she was grateful to Obi Wan for. She owed him her life many times over, the soul of her husband, the successful birthing of her two children...

"I don't think I should intru-"

"OBI WAN! GET IN HERE!" Anakin grabbed his former Master by the elbow and started dragging him into the hospital room, where a med droid was already working over Padme. He was making small protests but the minute he saw Padme writhing in the agony of childbirth he went to her side.

"Shhh, it's alright Padme. Just breathe, in and out."

Anakin came around the other side and grabbed her hand as she let out another scream. He smoothed back her hair and kissed her forehead before looking back up at Obi Wan.

"I don't know what to do. Please help."

There was a brief pause and Padme felt the Force wash over her.

"...help what? She's doing fine."

Anakin gestured emphatically to her.

"She's in pain! I don't know what to do! I need you to help during the birth process."

Obi Wan looked incredulously at his former padawan, as if shocked at yet another ludicrous idea.

"Anakin...why do you think I would know the first thing about birthing children?"

"Well, I don't! And she needs someone to help her through it. First things first, make the pain stop."

"Anakin! I can't stop child birthing pains! It hurts! It always hurts! It hurts for every woman! It doesn't stop until the baby is born!"

"WELL THEN GET THE BABY OUT OF HER! SHE'S IN PAIN!"

Apparently deciding that, in the current situation Anakin was decidedly useless, Obi Wan looked down into her frightened eyes.

"Alright Padme, I need you to push as much as you can right...now"

She squeezed the life out of Anakin and Obi Wan's hands until the pain suddenly ceased.

"It's a boy."

"HA! I knew it! You were wrong Ani! A mother's intuition trumps the For-AUUGGGHHH!"

"WHAT IS IT! WHAT'S WRONG?"

"Anakin Skywalker, calm down this instant!" Vaguely, Padme marveled at how Obi Wan always got control of a situation whenever he really needed it.

"It's another contraction. You're having twins," he said this to a near frantic Anakin before once again smiling down at her, "Come on, Padme! One more push."

A minute later and Anakin and Padme are holding their newborns.

"See, Padme? I told you it was a girl."

"It appears we were both right."

"Look, Master! TWINS!"

"Yes, Anakin I can see that."

"This is Luke!"

"Anakin are you sure you want to-Oh my! Hello there!"

The sight of the usually stoic Jedi Master's face forming a tender little smile as he gazed down at her little baby warmed Padme's heart. It was a moment she will remember forever.

"P-Padme...Padme" Obi Wan's raspy voice brought her attention back to the present. The hand she held was instantly clasped to her heart and she leaned forward to hear the ailing Jedi Master.

"What?" She asked gently, "What is it Obi Wan? Do you need anything?"

"I-I think it'll be soon." There wasn't any fear just a stating of fact. "I-I'm f-fighting it all I can but...I..."

She tilted her head down so he wouldn't have to see her tears. She kissed the fingers interlocked with her own. Out of the corner of her eye she can just see Leia turn and bury her face in Master Windu's shoulder. She felt like she should say something to him...anything. After all, she owed him basically everything...

"NO, ANAKIN, NO!" Obi Wan was gone from her side as soon as they entered the room; his azure blade colliding with Anakin's to deflect a blow to Master Windu. In the confusion, blue lightning sprang from Palpatine's fingers to ignite Windu, pushing him back until his head collided with the edge of the window. He slumped to the ground, unconscious.

"Obi-Wan...I NEED him. I-I have to save Padme! You don't understand!"

"But I do understand. I already know you're married to her. I even know that she's pregnant."

Anakin is completely shocked. "You know? And you didn't tell the Council? Why?"

Palpatine slowly got to his feet and Padme is caught between the urge to scream and the urge to vomit. He's completely scarred, the gray flesh on his face contorting in a thousand crevices and his eyes a sickly, eerie yellow.

"He's been spying on you, Anakin! He doesn't trust you." Anakin looked too angry for words, but Obi Wan's face immediately softened. He looked straight into Anakin's face.

"I didn't tell the Council because I saw that you were happier with her. I couldn't tell because I couldn't betray you, Anakin. You're my brother. I love you."

Anakin just stared at Obi Wan, stunned. His former Master had always defended him, stood by him, and acted like he loved him. But he had never outright said as much.

"He's lying, Anakin. He's using you!"

"I have never lied Anakin. Not to you. I never will." Obi Wan then turned to the Chancellor and moved his 'saber to the neck of the traitor in front of him.

"You are under arrest, Sidious. I suggest you surrender." But Windu's fallen lightsaber is suddenly called to the Sith's hand and he began attacking Obi Wan mercilessly. Anakin simply stood there, unable to make a decision.

Padme felt absolutely helpless. Although she was a good shot with a blaster she could never hope to help in a fight against a Sith Lord. But she could inspire Anakin. Obi Wan needed the help.

"Ani!"

He stiffened and whirled to face her.

"Padme! Angel, what are you doing here!"

"That doesn't matter now. Go Ani, Obi Wan needs you."

Anakin still looked hesitant.

"Padme, Palpatine has a way to save yo-"

"I don't WANT to be saved if it comes at the cost of Obi Wan or any other innocent life. I WON't be the cause of your fall. I love you, Anakin. I would never want you to save me in such a way."

There were a few moments of hesitation in which Padme was worried she would lose Anakin forever, but in the end he slowly nodded, letting a few tears ignited his lightsaber and ran toward the melee. Padme had never been more proud of him.

Padme never got to thank him for that day. Every time she'd bring it up Obi Wan would shuffle the credit off to the timely Force-visit of Qui Gon Jinn, or commend her on the way she'd inspired Anakin. But she always knew the real hero of that day was Obi Wan. There was so little time left to thank him, so Padme leaned down and kissed Obi Wan's clammy forehead.

"We're here, love. And I want to thank you for everything you've done for me. Force, you've protected me, comforted me, saved me..." she trailed off, chocked by another on slot of tears.

"I love you, my dear friend."

AN: Sooooo...this one was a little more angsty than the previous two. But Padme and Obi Wan only seem to run into each other when there's trouble! In case anyone was confused, after killing Grievous Obi Wan sees a vision of Qui Gon through the Force (this is operating under an AU where Qui Gon figures out how to return from 'the netherworld of the Force' sooner rather than later). Because he can see everything that's going on, and because he can't get through to Anakin he warns Obi Wan of everything. Obi Wan, worried beyond belief, flies straight back to Corusant. On the way to the Senate building he picks up Padme because he feels that she needs to be there. Anakin couldn't betray the two people he loved the most to their faces. Thus, Ani stays light! I also feel like Obi Wan would open up a little more to Padme because she's not judging him as a Jedi Master, but as a friend. Please review and have a lovely day!