Avschick33 – Welcome to the story and a huge THANK YOU for the wonderfully sweet compliments about my stories! I have to say I also prefer a happy ending for our favorite couple but this time, I am trying to stick close to canon as far as that goes. Hope that doesn't bum you out too much.

meandmysharpie – Hee! I've already mapped out this story, and I'm afraid this is only the first of many cliffhangers. But I do promise to come back as quickly as possible so you aren't hanging for too long. Again, it's so great to hear from you!

Seldom Darlin – Another update, coming right up – and this cliffie isn't too bad, honestly! I'm thrilled that you are enjoying the story so far – thank you very much! Hope you continue to do so.

HellishRedDevil – Your review was so sweet – it's always so neat to hear what you think about the latest update. I'm glad that the story has caught your attention - I'm laying some groundwork now, but thing will really heat up in the upcoming chapters.

ALL - Thank you so much for your support. This fic has been rolling around my head for awhile now and I'm glad to finally be putting it into story form. Your enthusiasm makes all the hard work more than worthwhile. I'll be back soon with more.

Obi-wan trotted through the corridors, ignoring the startled looks his fellow Jedi were shooting at the sight of his uncharacteristic pace. He made it to the healer's ward in record time, but the effort was ruined when his haste caused him to input the entry sequence incorrectly... twice. When the doors finally slid open, he strolled through as if he hadn't a care in the Galaxy.

"Hello, Barriss," he greeted. He bowed courteously to the young woman before him, hoping his ragged breathing wasn't too noticeable.

"Master Kenobi, how nice to see you." She smiled knowingly but kindly avoided comment on his disheveled appearance. "I was certain I would see you up here before too long."

"I came as quickly as I could. I would have been here even sooner, but the Council insisted upon a briefing before they would grant me authorization."

"I understand." She nodded her head, always the picture of calm empathy.

"Is everything all right? There is no permanent damage?"

"I believe everything will be fine after some much needed rest and recuperation, of course. He is awake again and talking, but has been unable to give us any concrete clues as to what may have caused his sudden collapse-"

"He?" Obi-wan shook his head slightly, as if such an action would help the pieces fall into place.

"Yes," Barriss said slowly. "He. Knight Skywalker is doing much better."

"Wait a moment... Anakin is here as well? Oh dear, what happened? Has he been hurt badly?"

"He will be fine. Forgive me, Master Kenobi, I thought that was the patient you were here to see?"

"Not originally." He scrubbed a calloused hand over his face, overwhelmed by the strange course the day had taken. "I actually came to check on Senator Amidala. I brought her in after we were caught in an explosion."

"I see." She reached for another datapad and began to peruse its contents. "I was told a Jedi had brought the Senator in, but I did not know it was you."

"It's fine, Barriss." He smiled tiredly. "I am glad you told me about Anakin. I know he doesn't like me to hover when he has been injured, but I suspect he would tolerate a short visit from his former Master. Just for old times' sake, of course."

"You may find he welcomes it; he is already starting to climb the walls - a new record of impatience even for him, I believe. Now, let's see how our other famous patient is faring..." She scrolled through the data pad, her eyes eventually finding the requested information. "Ah, yes, it seems Senator Amidala is conscious and responsive. We have covered her abrasions with bacta patches and the report says all should heal with minimal to no scarring. She has also been attached to a fetal monitor, but I cannot reveal more than that without the Senator's approval."

"Of course. May I see either of them?"

"The medical droid is finishing up with the Senator at the moment, but I believe Anakin is in between tests."

"Thank you."

Barriss bowed respectfully before heading for the Creche. He watched her go, suddenly uncomfortable with the expectant silence that descended in her absence. Silence meant the he had to deal with the suspicions that kept clawing their way to the surface.

Turning on his booted heel, he moved towards the hallway Barriss had indicated before she departed. Anakin's room was housed at the very end and he smiled ruefully at the realization that his former Padawan was such a regular occupant they might as well name a wing after him.

As he reached for the door controls, his eyes landed on an updated copy of Anakin's medical file. His grin faded. There, listed at the very top, was the reported time of his unexplained collapse:

4:09. The exact moment the bomb exploded in the Coruscant Market.

He leaned against the wall, letting his head strike the unforgiving surface with a resounding thump. So there it was then, the truth he had been avoiding since the day the Naboo Senator walked back in their lives after ten years apart. His former apprentice had fallen in love and she with him...

...and their connection went deeper than he could have ever imagined.

He waited for the stab of anger that was sure to follow the revelation of such a betrayal... but the moments passed and still the emotion never materialized. In fact, quite the opposite happened.

There was a rush of shock and a whisper of disappointment... but overall, Obi-wan Kenobi only felt hope.

"Now I can help him embrace his destiny," he murmured.

Determination flooding his heart, he keyed open the door and stepped into the room. The absence of Anakin's Force signature struck him immediately, even before his physical gaze trained on the empty bed.

In spite of his previous pledge of support, he couldn't help but grimace when he realized where the room's occupant was.

Things were about to get a bit... awkward.