Author's Notes: I originally wrote this fic way back in 2005 and submitted it to the Master-Apprentice archives under the pen name "Dragon Myst". Some 12 years later, I decided to revisit the story (I'd actually forgotten I'd written it, lol - had to copy the entire thing from the MA archives, as I didn't have the original on my computer) and attempt to give it some polish. I was originally inspired to write this fic after reading Clara Swift and Elocin Oco's wonderful "Outside of Time" Qui/Obi series, and later inspired to rework it after recently reading arnediadglanduath's fabulous Obi/Ani fic "Unconscious Design" over at AO3. Thank you both for your inspiration.

I'm by no means an expert when it comes to Anakin and Obi-Wan's adventures, especially during The Clone Wars (never watched the show), and my knowledge of Star Wars outside of the films in general is very limited so forgive me if I took some creative license at times. I can only look through Wookipedia for so long. In addition to being a sci-fi/romance, this fic is also MPREG and AU and roughly follows the events of Revenge of The Sith.

UPDATE 3/2/17 - Appologies for any inconveinence, but this story is going to go on hiatus for a bit while I focus on my Metroid series for a while. It's hard trying to balance two stories at once, and I've hit a bit of writer's block with this one lately. Once I get the Metroid story finished, I'll be coming back to this one, hopefully with some newfound inspiration for it. Please be patient with me, OK? And thank you for all the support!


Chapter 1: The Approaching Storm

The apparitions were coming again, vivid and unforgiving...the wraiths raping his mind just as they had done every night for the past few months... His eyes closed tighter, his strong arms drawing up to hug himself from underneath the blankets that felt like nothing but the coldest of glaciers against his bare chest. The young man shifted sharply to one side. Blankets wrapped around his legs like snakes, his breathing quickened with his fast and shifting movements from one side to the other.

"Anakin!" a voice suddenly called from the fringes of his consciousness: "Anakin! Anakin!"

"Master...don't let him..." gasped the Knight before he awoke in a cold sweat, his hands pulling the covers from his body. The cool, harsh air bit at his smooth chest before he came to a frightened sitting position in his bed, his piercing blue eyes bulging with palpable fear. With his chest heaving in a frantic, sickening rhythm and lungs burning with the cool air, Anakin tried to focus on something calming in the small room. Something, anything that would take his mind away from the fear he still felt crawling through his skin.

And there it was, soon hovering over him like a shroud and soothing the maddening beating of his heart. Obi-Wan Kenobi. His Obi-Wan, having felt the unease of his former Padawan ripple in the middle of the night as he slept. Of average height, with shoulder length golden ginger-colored hair and a full-fledged beard to match, Kenobi was not only handsome, but he had grown to be an especially skilled and powerful Jedi Master in the thirteen years since Jedi Master Jinn's life was ruthlessly taken by the Sith Lord, Darth Maul.

Though Obi-Wan initially bristled at the idea of taking young Anakin under his wing as an apprentice after Jinn's death, he did so at the behest of Qui-Gon as he lay there dying in his arms. Despite Qui-Gon's insistence than Anakin was the Chosen One, Kenobi had had his doubts much like the Council. The boy was impulsive and reckless, passionate, possessive. In the same vein, however, he was also selfless, compassionate, warm... and the little bugger quickly wriggled his way into Kenobi's heart despite his efforts in making sure their relationship was kept strictly Mentor-Student.

It started innocently enough. Little Anakin, lonely – especially at night – would actively seek comfort from Obi-Wan, the only thing that felt even remotely safe and familiar to him in an otherwise strange new world where he had no family and no friends. He was still trying to adjust to his new life within the Jedi Order, and Obi-Wan, having been in Anakin's position himself, could only sympathize with the boy and attempt to offer him at least some sense of comfort; Kenobi had lost count of all the times in Anakin's first year as a Padawan that he'd slept on the floor of the boy's room or held vigil over him as he slept.

Things remained platonic between them for the next few years, as Obi-Wan watched his young Padawan mature into a fine – if not arrogant – Jedi and young man before his very eyes. No longer was Anakin the same little boy who clung to him in the dark as he sobbed, or unsure of himself and his natural abilities in the Force. Quite the opposite, in fact. And in some ways – a lot of ways – it concerned him, but not quite in the same way it concerned the Council, though he did find the young man's arrogance and lack of control a bit troubling, to be fair. No, Obi-Wan's concern was different, and in some ways, far more dangerous. Love. Attachment. The Jedi Code strictly forbade it, and anyone caught committing such transgressions was instantly banned from the Order. Yet, Kenobi couldn't help but feel something more starting to form between him and Anakin, something strictly forbidden, but oh so incredibly powerful.

Unable to restrain their feelings towards each other any longer, passion ensued the night of Anakin's eighteenth birthday, but fell short of penetration, much to Anakin's disappointment. And the next year after that. And the night of his promotion to Knighthood, for that matter. Though Anakin knew his Master loved him, he'd had his doubts on just how deep Kenobi's love for him actually went. It always seemed like something would mysteriously come up right when Anakin was so thick and wet with yearning; Obi-Wan softly telling him he was needed at the Council, or had some other "business" to attend to before kissing the younger man on the forehead and excusing himself while Anakin lay there feeling like he would burst any second.

But pleasure was the furthest thing from Anakin's mind at the moment as he sat upright in his bed shivering, Obi-Wan's arms having drawn themselves around him the moment he was upright. Anakin looked upon his former Master with eyes far bigger than Obi-Wan had ever seen, his mouth and lips parched like the dusty, wind-whipped sands of his birthplace. Obi-Wan raised his hand to cup the side of the younger man's handsome face. "S-stay," Anakin stammered into his ear. "I don't want you to go."

Kenobi looked deep into those clouded blue eyes and nuzzled his nose against Anakin's. "I won't be going anytime soon, my Ani. After all, I live here." he whispered and began feeling his way around in the pale darkness, only to flick the simple bedside light on, filling the small room in a dome of gentle light. He regarded the younger man rather seriously. "Would you like to talk about it? The nightmare, I mean."

"No, not right now. I just..." His voice trailed off into the silence briefly while he snuggled against Obi-Wan. "Just hold me, Obi...at least until I...fall asleep."

"Yes, dear one. I will all night, if that's what it takes." Obi-Wan replied before he felt Anakin's full weight fall into their warm embrace as they fell to the comfort of his bed. Obi-Wan took a fringe of Anakin's shaggy brownish-blond hair between his fingers before kissing his head. "Try to rest now, Anakin."

But Anakin was much too amped up to think straight, much less try to sleep. Anakin, overcome with emotion, engulfed Obi- Wan's lips in heated pleasure, soon feeling the warmth and comfort of his Master's hands upon his smooth chest.

"Master...I want you. Please...it hurts so much, this longing." Anakin whispered within the darkness, a bright fire burning in his usually cool blue eyes. As if to prove his point, Anakin took it upon himself to redirect one of Obi-Wan's hands to the now moist crotch of his dark brown sleep trousers. "Can you feel it?"

Obi-Wan could only nod, his mouth and lips suddenly parched, as his hand moved with Anakin's against the younger man's bulge caged behind the damp, restrictive fabric of his trousers. Obi-Wan nearly licked his lips at the thought of wrapping his lips around that magnificent cock and savoring the unique taste that was Anakin Skywalker. "I love you, dear one, more than anything in this galaxy." Obi-Wan whispered before his free hand combed through Anakin's shaggy hair. "Let me show you..."

Anakin tried in vain to gulp back his eagerness, to block out the moist sensation between his legs and the fire exploding in the pit of his stomach. But gods, Obi-Wan was so incredibly beautiful in this pale light; the way his long hair and beard made him look so virile; the way his eyes regarded Anakin with gentleness, understanding and compassion; the way his yearning rippled through their Bond like a stone hitting a lake, filling Anakin with a desire to feel this very man before him inside of him, loving him in ways he'd only dreamed of. "Love me, Obi. Now. Please." he whispered, feeling his throat constrict.

With a level of grace that was entirely Obi-Wan Kenobi, the Jedi Master freed his former apprentice from his restrictive clothing before doing the same to himself. With Anakin already fully erect and wet, there was a part of the Master that nearly felt sorry for the younger man aching beneath him while he took his sweet time looking him over from top to bottom, from the many scars on his body – and his beautiful, toned body in general – to the dark brown trail of hair that went from his navel to his dark mound of pubic hair; Obi-Wan licked his lips, a small grunt forcing itself from his mouth at noticing the way his own cock had become engorged at the sight of Anakin's full body beneath him. Anakin – his Anakin – was absolutely beautiful.

"Oh, Anakin," Obi-Wan breathed, his lips engulfing Anakin's own in a luscious kiss. "Anakin...Ani, my love. It hurts me too." Obi-Wan whispered, his hands cupped Skywalker's firm buttocks, caressed them, fingers wanting to open him gently. "Anakin...please, let me..."

Anakin cupped Obi-Wan's face in both hands, his sex now feverishly aching between his legs. A proposition. Two hearts no longer bleeding from the passion that filled them. They were to join, to become one heart and soul. "Yes, Obi. Please." Anakin smiled, with Obi-Wan smothering him with all the love and affection he could muster. Obi-Wan, licking the smooth curve of Anakin's collar bone. His nipples. The impressively taut and lean body. Eager hands - Obi-Wan's hands - burning a trail down Anakin's thighs. Skywalker shuddered. Obi-Wan, licking his inner thigh and coming closer to his aching, weeping, manhood. Anakin never felt so raw and vulnerable; the claiming of his sex now evident in Obi-Wan's mouth. Inch by sweet, delicious inch, Kenobi devoured the smoothness of his lover's shaft until he could go no further. Anakin opened his legs, his body trembling. He hummed in his throat as his mind, body and soul were bombarded by a love and affection for this man beneath him so great and powerful he fathomed he could exist on for the rest of his natural life. When they were together, in any capacity, but especially as lovers, nothing else mattered to Anakin. Not the war, not the Jedi. Nothing; the war and the Jedi could end tomorrow and he wouldn't care, so long as he had Obi-Wan at his side.

Finally, after much sweet agony, the violent release of his seed drenched Kenobi's mouth. Obi-Wan reached beneath the sweating body of his lover, hands finding their way between his firm buttocks and inside to stroke the younger man's prostate. Kenobi licked his lips, Anakin's warmth and wetness bathing his fingers in sheer ecstasy. He closed his eyes and savored the sensation as Anakin moaned above him, his cries of passion only serving to drive him closer to the brink.

Like a man possessed, Obi-Wan flipped the Knight onto his stomach in haste, having sensed his urgency to be taken through their Bond. It was no secret that they both kept their shields down during their moments of brief intimacy, believing it brought them closer together. Anakin gasped at the feeling of Obi-Wan's head tracing down between the crack of his ass, and braced himself before clamping down on his lip hard enough to draw blood, having felt his Master spread and enter him gently - at first – before he suddenly stopped in order to savor the feeling of warmth hugging his erection.

Anakin hummed in his throat again. "Mmm, that's good, Obi. Want to feel more of you."

"Patience, love. Let's enjoy the moment." Obi-Wan replied against Anakin's broad shoulder before placing a kiss upon it.

Anakin felt himself becoming slick with arousal once more, invigorated by the warm pulsing of his former Master within him. "Yes, Master." he grunted. "Feels...so good."

Obi-Wan was cautious with his thrusts at first, not wanting to hurt Anakin in spite of feeling as if they would both combust at any moment. It was only after Anakin voiced his comfort that Obi-Wan increased the strength of his thrusts until they became a rhythm in which they moved in sync with one another. A convergence of Knight and Master ensued, hot, passionate, and so very long overdue. Anakin and Obi- Wan lay still on the bed, still joined, with the moon basking their naked bodies in glorious light. The gods, smiling down on them, giving them their coveted blessings. Finding comfort and security in each others arms, Master and Knight allowed themselves to drift, to be carried into the ocean of slumber that awaited them.


Early the next morning, Master Kenobi woke to see his lover, sleeping deep – and loud! - curled up, still naked - against him. Obi-wan allowed a generous helping of Anakin's soft dirty brownish-blond hair to grace his fingertips. "Anakin...wake up," he came to whisper softly into the snoozing Knight's ear; his golden-ginger colored beard brushed against Anakin's forehead and aroused a twitch from the younger man before Obi-Wan's request was met with a mumble and groan from Anakin as he flopped over to his back and resumed his blissful sleep. Obi-Wan inched closer to Anakin, and inched closer still until the tip of his nose was touching Skywalker's smooth but chiseled cheek. An innocent kiss followed, and then a warm hand against his bare shoulder. "Wake up...my Ani." Kenobi whispered again before planting another soft kiss on Anakin's cheek.

Soon after, Anakin came to a waking, but hazy state and sat up.

"Morning, Master. Think you can keep up with me today?" he grinned as he stretched away the stiffness in his muscles.

Master Kenobi sat up to join Anakin before shaking his head. "My dear one..." he said and laughed in his throat. "If we're going there, must I remind you who it was that managed to get his lightsaber stolen – and who managed to recover it from that thief?"

"Well, sure, no argument there. So I got careless." Anakin nodded before a grin played across his features. "But who was it that pulled you out of that nest of gundarks again? I forget..."

"Blast, Anakin. So help me, you're never going to let me forget about that, are you?" Obi-Wan replied before reaching for his and Anakin's clothes.

Anakin drew his mechno-forearm around Obi-Wan while he was putting his tan trousers back on before drawing him in with his organic arm, a Cheshire cat grin on his face. "Of course not, Master. I mention it only in passing." he chuckled.

Their lips came to converge with each other in a sweet, hungry kiss; Obi-Wan kept his eyes closed, stretching out with his feelings and becoming one with the beatings of Anakin's heart against his chest. Surreal, it was no surprise to Obi-Wan that reality quickly interrupted and broke the tender moment with his former Padawan. "...We are needed at the Council, Anakin. Hurry back to your quarters and change; we mustn't keep them waiting."

Led by the revered and powerful Jedi Master Yoda, the Jedi High Council was held by twelve Jedi, all of which were Masters. The Council was the pinnacle of the Jedi Temple and the governing body of the Jedi Order. Mace Windu, a tall, bald and dark-skinned man, served as Yoda's right-hand man of sorts. Like Yoda, Mace was a strong wielder of the Force and one of the most accomplished Jedi Masters on the Council. His strength and skill in the Force was second only to Yoda himself. Calm and collected, Mace was the type of Jedi who was able to see all angles of a problem and exhaust all diplomatic options open to him before reverting to the authority of his lightsaber. Here, high above the bustling Corustanti skyline, many a mission had been assigned to Obi-Wan and Anakin over the decade and three-year long Clone Wars. And just as in past instances, this latest trip to the Council was to be no different.

Standing before the Council, Anakin and Obi-Wan stood side- by-side and at attention, as Yoda began to address them, one of his long, green ears twitching as if trying to attune itself to some unseen signal. "New assignment we have for you. Senator Amidala of Naboo, on her way here she is to meet with Chancellor Palpatine. Someone after her, there is. Protect her and investigate this disturbance you must. Understand you, Master Kenobi, Knight Skywalker?"

That name. While somewhere deep in the back of his mind, Obi-Wan still felt a little confused as to who Senator Amidala was, his memories of her vague and blurry. But with some thirteen years having gone by since the last time he'd seen her, Obi-Wan considered it to be somewhat of a miracle that a part of his brain still remembered her. So she was coming here to Coruscant... Naturally, Kenobi thought this unexpected visitor's trip here to be a mere figurehead to a more grand agenda. Then again, Obi-Wan was never exactly fond of any politician to begin with, including Senator Amidala, who seemed innocent on the outside but powerful enough to get him to hold his doubts about her. Bowing in acknowledgment of their new mission, Anakin and Obi-Wan dismissed from the Council.

While in the turbolift heading to the main chamber of the Temple, Anakin couldn't help but stare at the world outside. She was coming here. Big deal, he told himself before the accented voice of his Master brought him from his reverie.

"Anakin, be wary of the senator. Something...doesn't feel right." Kenobi advised.

Anakin nodded. For once, he'd done so knowing that there really was no room for doubt or argument. He wondered if the Council had been able to sense it, as well. It was the kind of unease that roused the hairs on the back of his neck to stand on end in nervous anticipation, and Obi-Wan, always in tune with the complex inner workings of his lover, had sensed as much through their Bond.

"Relax, young one. Take a deep breath."

Anakin nodded again as he drew a deep breath and adjusted his dark brown cloak and tunics, making sure to keep his gaze fixed on the turbolift doors. "Yes, Master."

After a short trip via transport to Coruscant's Senate District and yet another turbolift ride, Master and Apprentice eventually found themselves standing within the posh main room of Senator Amidala's residence, face to face with the up and coming Nabooian senator, dressed rather regally with her hair up in exotic braids and a warm, welcoming smile on her face. "Obi-Wan. Anakin. It's been much too long since we last seen each other – it warms my heart to see you both. Please, make yourselves comfortable."

Both Obi-Wan and Anakin bowed kindly, happy – with a touch of reserve - to see Padme Amidala after all these years. She had grown up to be a very beautiful and strong-willed woman who indeed held great power in the political ranks, especially with the Clone Wars in full swing. Her brown eyes and face were aglow with relish as Anakin came to bow in respect, just as his Master was returning to his full stature and taking a seat on the long tan leather sofa.

"It's been so long, Ani. Thirteen long years. Seeing you again brings peace to my heart." she told him.

The young Jedi Knight took her endearing comment in stride despite still feeling the prickled hairs on the back of his neck. "Yes. It's been far too long, m'lady. We've all been pre-occupied with the war."

As much as she wanted to forget the serious situation at hand and just sit and talk with Anakin and Obi-Wan until they were both blue in the face, Padme quickly returned to her more professional demeanor. "Well," she began, her eyes never leaving Kenobi or Skywalker. "I gather you would like to know the reason behind your being here. The situation is most serious, I'm afraid. An assassination attempt on me was carried out on Naboo some hours ago, just before I was set to board my personal transport. Fearing for my safety, my entourage and the Queen both advised that I vacate the area immediately. But it was only until we were halfway to a planet on the Outer-Rim that we were contacted by Chancellor Palpatine. He told us to come here to Coruscant, and that two Jedi Knights would be assigned to protect me and investigate this threat."

Obi-Wan spoke with that usual serious, but calm, look on his face - clearly of no surprise to his former apprentice. "I can assure you that Anakin and I will do everything we can to protect you, senator."

Padma blushed and briefly glanced at the carpeted floor, almost like she was embarrassed of Obi-Wan's sheer seriousness and the fact that he was talking to her like they had never met before. "Just call me Padme, Obi- Wan. Titles are not necessary." she replied, never once taking her eyes off of Anakin.

Oddly enough it was his voice that took her by surprise. "We're to escort you to Chancellor Palpatine's chambers. We can't keep him waiting. Senator...please, this way."

Padme cleared her throat, not noticing that both Anakin and Obi-Wan were now standing. "Oh yes, of course. I must brief him on the situation as it stands. Please, lead the way, Master Jedi."

Senator Amidala was escorted into Supreme Chancellor Palpatine's grand chambers within the Galactic Senate building. As always, he was quite glad to see Anakin Skywalker, whom he had developed quite a bond with over the years. But now, he knew, was not the time to make small talk with the young Jedi Knight. Instead, he would be meeting with Senator Amidala for some time. About what, however, Anakin nor Obi-Wan were unsure of. Covert operation wasn't in their mandate. Protection, escorting, and investigation was all they were told to do. Quietly, they walked from Palpatine's chambers and walked silently down the long corridor, en route to the Jedi Temple once more.


Anakin and Obi-Wan had spent many a time inside of Kenobi's quarters inside the Temple. And over the years, it had grown to be like a second home to Anakin. There he sat cross-legged on Obi-Wan's bed, his Master sitting comfortably at his desk with a datapad in his hand, his lightsaber laying unattended next to his arm. He was researching something, perhaps the last known whereabouts of Padme's suspected assassin, and every now and then tugged at his beard like the intellectual he was when he suddenly felt Anakin's strong arms take him from behind.

"We have still have a little time left, Master..." Anakin whispered with thick yearning as his hands buried themselves deep within Obi-Wan's cream-colored tunics to roam the rough texture of his chest.

Kenobi felt himself instantly tense beneath the touch of his former Padawan before setting aside the datapad in order to give the younger man his full, undivided attention and pick up from where they had left off earlier in the morning. The older man spun around in his chair to glimpse him before the younger man sat in his lap, his strong hands cupping Obi-Wan's face before devouring his lips in a slow, hungry kiss.

Anakin pushed forward eagerly with the plunging of his tongue into Obi-Wan's mouth. Obi-Wan also pushed forward with an urgency that surprised even him, Anakin's body writhing against him. And if not for the many layers of fabric, they would be able to feel the heat of their groins touching in eager anticipation. Anakin took a deep breath in between kisses, his hands fumbling with the buckle of Obi-Wan's leather utility belt.

Obi-Wan merely watched with eager anticipation as the younger man disrobed him with a precision that was entirely Anakin Skywalker. Quietly, he admired both the sound of Anakin's breathing and the pace at which he worked; moments later, the belt fell to the floor, allowing Anakin to continue pealing away the many layers of fabric keeping him from the beauty that was Obi-Wan Kenobi. His groin began to throb as his hand traveled upward against Anakin's thigh, his breathing growing faster by the second. "You're insatiable, you know that?" Kenobi grinned, the palm of his hand pushing against Anakin's groin. Trembling, yearning to be free. Obi- Wan nearly licked his lips at the thought. And Anakin was already halfway to ecstasy himself as Obi-Wan held him and kissed him, when an automated holo-message suddenly stifled any thoughts of sexual gratification.

Sith! It was a word shared with equal frustrated intensity by the both of them.

"Master Kenobi. I have finished the meeting with Senator Amidala. She is waiting for you in the Galactic Senate Hall and wishes to speak with you and Knight Skywalker. She has some important matters to discuss with the both of you."

Chancellor Palpatine. Always knew the most inappropriate moments to make an interruption. Anakin crunched his teeth together in frustration and came to dismount from Obi-Wan's body. Kriff!, Anakin growled to himself in frustration. It would have to wait. It was always that way. He felt like he was always waiting. Waiting for this, waiting for that. All the waiting had started to wear on his patience and Obi-Wan knew it. "Relax, Anakin. Be mindful of your feelings. We must do as we are told. That is the way of the Force, dear one." Obi-Wan's ability to calm Anakin's nerves never ceased to amaze him. It seemed like Kenobi had something calming to say about everything that was troubling him, a lesson the young Master had picked up from his own when he was just a Padawan.

"Okay. But." Anakin began.

"No. No buts Anakin. Clear your mind. We must do as we're told." Obi-Wan interjected while he reached for his belt.

Anakin straightened out his own tunics and leather tabbard before helping his Master to do the same. "Yes Master. Here, let me help you with that." he grinned. "Can't go around looking like we have a secret now, can we?"

Obi-Wan shared in Anakin's sentiments before a snort escaped him. "Heh. But we do have a secret, Anakin – we are the secret." he clarified.

"Precisely my point, Master. That was supposed to be sarcasm." laughed Anakin before his look turned serious. "...How long do you think we can keep this hidden, Master?" he asked with a pang of dread before the pair made their way from Obi-Wan's quarters to the Temple hall.

They discussed the issue while aboard a local transport to the Galactic Senate building to meet with their mission at hand. As it stood right now, they had managed to keep their involvement a secret for approximately five years; Anakin would be turning twenty-three years old within the next few weeks. Obi-Wan couldn't help but find the situation a bit on the ironic side, having been the ideal template of a Jedi for so many years while his Master remained a maverick amongst his orthodox brethren; it had been this very same rebelliousness that kept him from taking his rightful place on the High Council year after year. Having been at Qui-Gon's side for pretty much his entire adult life, however, Obi-Wan knew his Master's influence would rub off on him eventually. It was only a matter of time, and it seemed as if that time had indeed come in the form of a forbidden, romantic attachment to his very own Apprentice.

But Obi-Wan wasn't sorry for it, not in the least. In a way, he considered himself blessed to have Anakin in his life. Had it not been for him, well...Obi-Wan didn't want to think about it. He loved Anakin with every fiber of his being, even if the younger man could be a little difficult sometimes. There was something raw, primordial even, about him...about the fierce love, compassion and loyalty that burned deep in his heart like the Temple's sacred Healing Crystals of Fire. And like those very same sacred treasures, Anakin had brought Obi-Wan warmth, comfort, and peace, had healed the void left by Qui-Gon's death in ways nothing ever could.

It was something for which Obi-Wan would gladly surrender his lightsaber if that's what it took to keep Anakin at his side. And judging by the way their Bond was currently rippling with warmth, Obi-Wan gathered the feeling was mutual.

Padme had been awaiting their arrival there on the large, wide promenade to the Galactic Senate, her home away from home. The Jedi pair weren't a moment too soon, right on time to be exact. Again, they bowed in respect to the senator and were then kindly led inside.

"You wanted to see us senator?" Obi-Wan asked once the trio were inside the grand lobby.

A smile tugged at Padme's lips. "Just call me Padme, Master Kenobi." she said softly. Obi-Wan crossed his arms as Anakin stood by his side. "Yes. Well, after my meeting with Chancellor Palpatine, we agreed that I not leave Coruscant until the threat against me has been neutralized. It's simply too dangerous. The Chancellor recommended that Anakin specifically become my personal protection during my time here." Padme explained. "Is this something you can agree to, Master Kenobi?"

Kenobi crossed his arms, deep in thought. "...Yes, that does sound reasonable," he concluded before turning his attention to his former Padawan. "Anakin, I am entrusting Senator Amidala's safety into your capable hands while I handle the investigation into her assassin. Are these orders understood?"

"Yes, Master." Anakin replied despite his misgivings about having to be separated from his beloved Master.

/Do not look so sad, dear one. We will still be together for one more night/ Obi-Wan assured him through their Bond. Anakin's face suddenly brightened.

With that, Knight and Master escorted the senator out of the building and into the transport that awaited them.


Later that night inside Padme's penthouse apartment, Obi-wan and Anakin were to keep watch over Padme all-night just in case trouble should arise while she slept. If it was anything Anakin loathed more than sand, it was guard duty. So dreadfully boring, especially since he had gotten so used to always being in the thick of battle during the on-going war. "Well," Anakin sighed and slumped down on a nearby sofa, "there went any chance of me getting my daily speeder run through the underbelly."

"Yes well, if you would spend as much time on your saber skills as you do racing, you would be on par with Master Yoda," scolded Obi-Wan with a mused laugh and smile.

"Hey – I've gotten a lot better, even Master Yoda thinks so. Besides, this isn't exactly what I pictured when Master Yoda told us of Padme's arrival. I mean, just sitting here? It's boring, Master."

Anakin's choice of words humored his Master as he came to sit next to his lover. "The life of a Jedi isn't always exciting, Anakin. Sometimes we must forego adventure and excitement for patience. Perhaps you should try to sleep?"

Anakin attempted to stifle a yawn. "I'm fine."

"Nonsense, Anakin. I can sense your exhaustion. I will keep watch tonight. Ease your mind and sleep. Here, next to me," he offered kindly and scooted down to the other side of the sofa, offering Anakin a place to crash for the night ahead. Anakin yawned as his head came to rest on Obi-Wan's lap and his cloak covered his lanky body. Obi-Wan looked down at the younger man and ran his fingers through his hair then lowered his head to Anakin's forehead to kiss it.

"Will you be all right, Master?" asked Anakin with hazy eyes.

"Yes. More importantly, will you be all right?" Kenobi whispered.

"I think so. But if I'm not...you'll be the first to know, Master." Anakin replied with a lazy half smile. Slowly, Anakin's eyes closed as sleep came to greet him. Tonight, however, would be filled with nothing but calm for he was in the company of the one person, other than his mother, who made him feel safe and warm.

He knew everything would be all right tonight...