Author's Note and Thanks: I am so sorry about how long it has taken me to post this piece. I have been trying to do weekly updates but I have been unwell, though I've managed to fight off the most severe symptoms of the crud that's invaded my home so insidiously for the past few weeks. It has been really difficult for me to concentrate on anything but, you know, feeling ill. I feel that I must say this, even though I know that you probably already realized this, Obi-Wan and Anakin will be separated for a time. But both of their stories will appear in each chapter. I am not up to full strength and stuff just yet, so I hope this chapter doesn't suffer from that. Thanks for your continual support and patience, Alley Parker and Naur. It's really appreciated, though I have also tried their new system for replying to responses. Not sure that I like it all that much.

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Watto backtracked immediately, surprised by this calmly spokenbut very effective threat. Not only effective, but thoroughly meant. He had not thought a Jedi capable of such a thing, for all that they had become nothing more than the watchdogs of the Senate. "It was just a joke, Ani."

"Anakin," he stressed. "My name is Anakin." In spite of his confidence, he did not add that Watto should call him Jedi Skywalker. This was an old acquaintance who, for all his flaws, had not been a harsh master. It didn't feel right that he should demand that he treat him distantly, as though they had never known each other.

"Very well, Anakin," he conceded. Turning away from the young man he no longer really knew, he focused on the slave in the background. Barking an order to her as she stood there, watching them with a curious expression on her face, he thought about what he was going to do. Though she went to do what she was told willingly enough, there was a trace of hated resentment in the look she shot the both of them. "Now, as to the address of the Lars, they live out in the wastelands. Cliegg Lars is an independent and stubborn man."

"Thank you for the help, Watto," he said, memorizing the address and location he was given.

A fond look entered his eyes, "Say hello to your mother, would you? Ask her to visit me sometime. I rather miss her-and you to."

"I will," he agreed, surprised by the request-and the sincerity behind it. Watto actually meant what he said. Anakin was touched.

Then the look fell away, replaced once more with familiar calculation. "Listen, Anakin, how about helping me out."

I knew he was going to try something, he thought. Some things just don't change. "What is it?"

"I've got some old debts to pay, if you know what I mean. As a Jedi, you could help to me. Those I owe credits to, they are not so understanding that I've fallen on tough times."

"A Jedi does not use his powers to help people like that. We serve the people, not by making them forget what is owed them, but by helping them find a solution to the problems before them," he said, sounding remote. The words were not his own, but ones he'd heard several times before.

Watto glared angrily, as though offended that Anakin had suggested that he would attempt such a thing. "How dare you think I would ask that of you?" He flew off to the corner of the building, staring off into the junkyard.

"Because you would," he stated. There was no doubt in his mind that if Watto thought he could get away with it, he would ask Anakin to do it. "What do you want me to do?"

"How are your racing skills?" he asked, glancing back at him.

"I've been known to race a few times," he shrugged. "Master Kenobi says that I shouldn't focus so much on such things, so I have not done it with any earnest endeavor in years. Not since I was involved in a race against Sebulba's replacement."

"If I were to back you, how would you feel about racing for me in the upcoming pod race?"

Anakin was tempted by the offer. Sorely tempted. To race again. To be a part of that world from his youth. A world that was free of the drudgery that being a Jedi sometimes entailed. A world that promised an easy ride, as long as one stayed alive. It was something he missed. Thrumming in his veins was a sense of anticipation, of excitement that the promise of a race…of speed, of relying on his skill and wits alone promised him.

A Jedi seeks not these things, my young Padawan. It was Yoda's words but it was Obi-Wan's voice that floated in his mind, speaking them with his customary humor. For all that we may find adventure, we do not seek it out. We do not crave it for in the end it is merely a momentary distraction. It is only instant gratification, something that will never fully fill you up or make you a better Jedi. Be mindful of yours feelings.

"I can't. I am here to see my mother before I take care of some business the Jedi Council has requested of me." There was genuine regret in his words, he shook it off resolutely. He would not allow himself to fall into this world with its snares and enticements once more.

He would not fail Obi-Wan.

"Take a look at the pod after you've seen to your mother. You know how those of Tatooine are. They will not trust you because you are a Jedi. Jedi are not trusted in this part of space. Take part in this race, win their trust by being one of them. The Boonta Eve Race you won was years ago, there are not many who remember you," Watto wheedled.

Watto's points were valid and true. Plus, it was tempting. Very tempting but Anakin was once again aware of the dangers of falling prey to that life. "I'll talk to my mother," he mediated, knowing that he should just refuse to race altogether.

Leaving the shop, he felt a twinge of guilt for his actions. For the fact that he did not give him a firm refusal. Pushing it aside as unreasonable, he went back to his ship. It wasn't as if he had agreed to do anything.

You didn't need to, a voice mockingly said, because you have already agreed to race for him. If only in your heart, your words about your mother aside. You don't want your mother's advice, you want her to give you permission to do this for you know that Obi-Wan would never give it. If you get caught, you want someone to blame.

He hated the cold matter of fact truth in that statement.

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Master Obi-Wan Kenobi shook off the feeling of embarrassed relief as he watched his Padawan's ship depart. With a sigh releasing his confusing feelings into the Force, he turned and began to walk back to their quarters, stopping when he saw Masters Windu and Yoda waiting just beyond the doorway.

"Saw your Padawan off?" Yoda asked, moving up to him.

"Yes, Masters," he said, bowing to them. Though doubtful over the wisdom in giving Anakin a mission like this, he kept his own counsel, though he feared they were setting him up for a fall. "About the Senator and her protection? Am I to continue to protect her?" he asked, realizing that without his Padawan as back up, he wasn't sure the mission was still his. He did not doubt that he could do it alone, he just wasn't sure he wanted to do it without Anakin's help.

"No," Mace said. "There is another mission we have for you. It is something that should've been done a long time ago. We have not been as mindful of its necessity as we should've been."

"A mission?" he asked, arms folded as he looked at them curiously. This was new-and a bit worrisome for him considering the timing of it. He had not had a solo mission in over seven years. In fact, since before Anakin and he had gone to Zenoma Sekot.

"Many years have passed since lost your Master and time to grieve you have not been given. Vacation you will take, away from Coruscant you must go," the wizened Master ordered. The Jedi Council had spent many days discussing this, realizing that the only way they could get him to relax was to order him to do it. As much as Qui-Gon had been lax with his following their orders, Obi-Wan was almost zealous in his actions. It worried them, finally bringing them to this decision. "Deal with your loss to better serve your Padawan you must."

Master Windu spoke up before he could protest. A protest they had been expecting and could not allow him. For once, Obi-Wan Kenobi would think of himself-of they had to order him to do it. Mace practically snorted at the thought. In essence, that was what they were doing.

"You are not being reprimanded for anything you've done wrong," he calmly informed him. "Truthfully, you have been an exemplary Jedi Knight, Obi-Wan. For all that Master Jinn's death was a painful loss to us all, you have not failed us. You are not under suspicion of wrong doing. But you have not dealt with your grief as you should've. Taking upon you the full burden of a Padawan, you denied yourself release. We feel that it may do harm in the coming years as Padawan Skywalker becomes ready to take his final steps towards his Knight Trials. You know as we do that they are fast approaching."

"I will, of course, abide by the Council's wishes," he murmured, unable to fully understand what had just happened. What was he going to do with himself during what was, essentially, an enforced vacation? He could barely handle having off days, spending them training, pushing himself to the limits of his endurance, instead of relaxing. Something he knew worried Anakin endlessly.

"Allow you to deal with the loss we did not. Selfish we were in this, forcing you to deal with what we could not. While the past cannot be undone, it can be learned from in order to help the future," Yoda said, knowing what he was really thinking. "Informed Captain Typho must be that Master Tachi will be replacing you as protection for Senator Amidala, you will."

"Very well," he said and bowed, watching them leave. With another sigh, this time an unhappy one, he turned towards the waiting skycab. Master Tachi murmured a greeting as he sat down and he nodded, falling silent, wondering what he was going to say.

As much as he wished to, he could not simply ask Siri to tell Senator Amidala about the change. She deserved to hear of it from him, though he did not know how she was going to react. Anakin and she were, to all intents and purposes, friends. Telling her that he was on a solo mission might not be the best idea.

And yet, he could not lie to her.

The other Jedi understood his need for silence and sat, observing the Senate as they approached. It was early morning, so there were a few groups walking into it, ready for the coming business. Others remained outside, enjoying the crisp morning with pleasure. Getting out of the cab, she quietly thanked the driver and they made their way into the building, nodding at the various greetings they received.

Curiously looking at Master Tachi, Dorme only greeted pleasantly. "Senator Amidala will be with you in a few moments," she informed them.

"Thank you," he said. "Is Captain Typho available?"

"I believe that he is in the next room, adjusting the security cameras and speaking with the Jedi who were here last night. Would you like to see them?"

"Yes, I would appreciate it if you would ask him to join us when he is done," he said, smiling slightly at her. "Thank you. As for the Jedi, it would be best if they remained in position until later."

"Very well," she turned and left them. Entering Padme's room, she walked over and put the finishing touches on her coiffure, "Master Obi-Wan is here with a Master Tachi. There is no sign of the young boy he had with him yesterday."

"Did he say why?" she asked, wondering why Anakin was missing. She hoped that he was all right, knowing that he had followed Master Kenobi. And part of her breathed easier. She didn't know if it was relief that he was not there-or if it was worry because he was missing.

"No, my lady. He also requested Captain Typho's presence," she said, avoiding asking her what she thought about how strange this seemed. Though she could count herself as one of Padme's friends, she knew that some barriers should not be crossed.

"I hope this does not mean something bad has happened," she nodded. "Will you tell him to meet us?"

"Of course," she bowed and left Padme staring at her reflection, more than a little curious.

Siri walked about the room slowly, examining it to get a better feel of it. "Very nice," she murmured appreciating the décor. "Not to ostentatious like some other senators I could name. There is an understated elegance and design to this room. If the rest proves as uncomplicated, I should be able to keep Senator Amidala safe."

Obi-Wan sat down, weariness filling him. May be the Council was right, he thought as he closed his eyes. May be I do need some time away from the city, far away from the distractions of a Padawan who will soon be given his Knight Trials. Hearing the sound of someone entering the room, he opened his eyes and stood, bowing.

"Mater Kenobi," Senator Amidala greeted him with a smile. Walking over, she accepted his hand as she critically studied him. "It is good to see you well after the events of last night. Were you able to stop those who attempted to take my life?"

"I am afraid not, my lady, though she did give us something that may lead us to those behind it. My lady, Captain Typho, may I present Master Siri Tachi," he quickly introduced them before she began to ask him any more questions. He knew that she was curious and wanted to help in the investigation.

The Jedi did not blame her one bit. If it had been him, he knew that he would not want to be kept in the dark but would want every opportunity to be of use. Senator Amidala was a smart woman and did not like feeling useless. He still remembered feeling very impressed by how she took charge of the situation on Naboo all those years ago. She had proven to be compassionate, while keeping firm in her convictions. And when it came down to it, she did not falter when it came time to defend her people.

But this situation was different, they kept her out of everything. She was not allowed to interfere and had to let others do the work, take the risks. An insightful woman, she might have something to offer that would further their investigation, he knew that she already suspected a few people.

But he could not allow that, knowing that she might just do something stupid that could get herself killed. As much as he did not trust politicians, Amidala's voice had been one of consistent reason and steady logic. They needed her to remain safe.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Senator," Siri bowed to her, nodding to Captain Typho who had quietly entered and stood by the window. Though he acknowledged her presence, he said nothing and made no move, so she addressed the senator. "I have watched many of your speeches and found them to be well thought out and insightful. I thank you for your confident, unwavering stand against the creation of an army."

"Thank you, Master Tachi. It has long been my opinion that to create an army would give the wrong impression to those who wish for a peaceful separation, though I would be sorry to see them go," she said, though she was confused. Why was the second Jedi Master needed? "Forgive me for asking but what is going on?"

Exchanging a look with Siri, he gestured towards the couch. "Perhaps we should sit down," he suggested, knowing he was only drawing out the moment. Once seated, he cleared his throat and decided to come right to the point. "There has been a change. My Padawan has been called, through the will of the Force, on a mission. As he might need help at some point, the Council has thought it best to replace us as the team protecting you."

"I did not think it necessary to bring the Jedi in on this in the first place. I only agreed to allow the presence of the Jedi because I know you and Ani," she angrily pointed out. "Now, you tell me that you are no longer going to be involved. No offense towards Master Tachi, but I do not know her. What is this mission Ani's on? If he really is on a mission, which I do not believe for a moment. Isn't he rather young for a solo mission?"

"Jedi Skywalker," he stressed both the name and the title, though he could not say why, "Is on a mission for the Jedi Council. There is no reason to say otherwise. I am not one to lie about Jedi business. Due to the nature of this mission, I am not allowed to talk about. He will be fine for he has trained many years for this."

Taking a deep breath, Padme forced herself to relax. Nothing would be gained by going on the offensive with him. But she couldn't help asking for more details, though she could see that she had annoyed Obi-Wan. "Would you at least tell me where Ani is?"

"I realize that you are friends, Senator, but his name is Anakin. He is no longer a little boy and should not be addressed in such a fashion." Though he did not feel it was his place, he could not stop from upbraiding her for the use of his nickname. Besides, he was well aware of how Anakin viewed his childhood name.

Padme slowly nodded, showing that she understood. "All right. Would you tell me where he is? I do not intend to interfere, I would just like to know that he is safe."

"He is where the Force has called him."

Of course he would say that, she thought, slightly vexed. No wonder Ani found him frustrating. He would never answer a question with the response one wanted. It was always vague. "Why aren't you with him? You are his Master, shouldn't you be with him now? Is that not why you have been asked to turn this investigation over to Master Tachi?" she asked. "Are you not still responsible for him?"

"He is still my Padawan," he said, his voice slightly harder than he had intended it to be. It couldn't be helped, her attitude seemed to condemn him for something and he found it irritating. "But he is also a member of the Jedi Order. He, as I, obey the will of the Force and the Jedi Order. They have given him this mission."

"But what if something happens to him? Don't you care about the danger he might be in?" She was appalled by the disregard that Obi-Wan showed for his Padawan.

"Worrying will not help him. Anakin is a smart, capable young man. I have every confidence that he shall do his best." He was surprised to find that the words he spoke were truth and wondered when that had happened. "I have several things that I must attend to so I shall leave you now. Do not worry for I am leaving you in very capable hands."

"I'll show you out," Captain Typho said before Amidala could stop him. Though he was worried about the change, and a little upset, he could see that it had not been a decision that the Jedi Master had made. His discomfort and guilt showed. As a result, he was willing to accept the change with grace and ease his guilty conscience. "Thank you for telling us this yourself. I realize that it was a difficult thing for you to do. I am sure that Master Tachi will be more than able to help us."

"Thank you for your understanding, Captain," he murmured.

"Senator Amidala understands as well, Master Kenobi. But she does not like to ask for things, especially a service such as this. She feels that the Jedi would be best off serving the Galaxy, not taking care of her when she has her own officers to do so."

"Yes, I know." Obi-Wan opened the door and nodded, walking out into the hall, heaving a sigh of relief to have this unpleasant duty over with. Then he felt guilty for doing so. Still, he was relieved to be able to put this mess behind him.

Walking along, he made his way swiftly through the gathering press of senators. He couldn't wait to get out of here, he hated…er, disliked being around duplicitous politicians. They made him feel uncomfortable with their hidden meanings and agendas. There were few he actually tolerated but in the mood he was in, he hoped that he didn't run into any of them.

"Master Kenobi?" a surprised voice asked from the throng of people.

He grimaced and stopped, forcing a pleasant expression on his face. To quote Anakin, he had jinxed himself with that thought.