Obi-Wan studied the joints of his fingers while Chancellor Palpatine spoke.
He couldn't deny it any longer. There was something between them. Every time he was around her, his palms grew sweaty and his knees began to shake. When she stood there in front of that tower, all he wanted to do was grab her and kiss her until she gasped for air.
What was he waiting for?
Obi-Wan glanced over to his apprentice, who sat rigidly on the cushioned chair, focusing his attention on the chancellor's words.
He no longer had an excuse. Anakin wasn't a child any longer. He didn't need his constant guidance, constant reassurance.
Ah. The word once again flashed in his mind. Reassurance. That's what was holding him back. Not only was he offering the boy reassurance that he was the center of his universe, his sole focus of all his attention, since it was what Anakin needed, he was seeking reassurance from another source. From the Force.
And he hadn't gotten it yet.
He didn't know how it was going to happen. In what form or fashion, but he knew it was going to happen and that he would recognize it when it did. It would come as some unexplainable occurrence, something that could only come from the Force. A coincidence that was too strange to be – coincidental.
Obi-Wan chuckled at his own thoughts, earning a sideways annoyed glance from his padawan. The boy held the chancellor in too high esteem. He'd have to talk to him about that some day.
In the meanwhile, he was eager to see who the appointed Gift Giver was this year, hoping that it wasn't Yoda again. Four years ago, when the ancient Jedi Master was given the job, it took forever for all the gifts to be passed out.
Obi-Wan sighed in relief as he saw Master Windu move toward the chancellor. They warmly shook hands and then the Jedi Master began to speak.
"It is my honor to be given the privilege of handing out the Fifth Gifts this season. So without further delay, let us begin."
Obi-Wan knew there was something he liked about Windu, he just hadn't been able to put his finger on it until tonight. The gift ceremony would be over soon and maybe, just maybe he would get a chance to ask Padmé for a dance.