Before the suns had yet to peek over the horizon and bathe the city in gold... before it had yet to strike their window or even cast so much as a shadow... Anakin's comlink buzzed. This time, he knew better than not to answer it. Lest Master Obi-Wan were to learn he was with the Senator again. Padme stirred. Anakin answered the comlink before it could buzz again and wake her.

"Yes, Master?" Anakin said without a hint of sleepiness.

"Meet me at the docking bay. As soon as possible."

"Yes, Master," Anakin replied.

The padawan learner moved quietly, a consideration he owed his sleeping wife who was still spent from their late night activities. He pulled the covers to her neckline and kissed her on the cheek.

Soon he was out of bed and slipping into his clothes. As far as Obi Wan knew, he was a guest at a friend's countryside house. Thankfully, the Council had given him permission before Obi Wan had the chance to override their decision, as he had yet to land on Coruscant. The Master would know something the council did not: the countryside lead straight to Padme's house.

Anakin Skywalker landed on the docking bay at the top of the Jedi Temple. There, his long time Master, Obi Wan Kenobi watched, a proud look on his face. He smiled gently and laid a hand on the young man's shoulder, just above the elbow.

"I'm sorry to have bothered you so early, Anakin. But I have good news," Obi Wan said.

"News?" Anakin asked. The war was over?

"The Council has recommended you. You're to become a Jedi Knight."

Anakin turned and looked at Obi Wan, his eyes wide with surprise. "How..." he could barely get the words out... "could this be?"

"Your mission on Jalane as second in Command was such a success that they've decided to award you."

A look of joy washed across Anakin's face. "I-I don't know what to say..."

"All that waits is my word. I will write my pledge this evening. By tomorrow, you will be a full Jedi Knight."

"Thank you, Master. You can't know how much this means to me," he gasped. To be acknowledged... a voice within him whispered.

"Anakin, you will be the youngest Jedi in the history of the order. I am more proud of you than I have ever been and am grateful to have served as Master. The time has come for you to clear your own path. The path to greatness and I will stand in your way. This is part of the ceremony Anakin, why I called you to the top of the Jedi Temple to look on the sleeping world. For you are awake, and the path of knowledge is yours to take. I only wish my master, Qui Gon Jinn were alive at the time of my ceremony. But this is not a time for grief, it is a time of celebration. Today, we become more than master and apprentice, comrades, colleagues or equals... today, Anakin... we become brothers."

Anakin smiled. A smile that spread like a crack across a slate of ice. Obi Wan extended a hand, which Anakin happily accepted and clutched within his own. They shook. Then suddenly, Obi Wan pulled him in. The shake had turned into a hug. He slapped Anakin on the shoulder proudly.

Anakin was stunned by the gesture. When had Obi Wan ever hugged him? Obi Wan had raised him with a loving, but iron fist. Anakin thought about the many times he had cried for his mother and how Obi Wan had told him to let go of his attachment and be strong. Or was it STRENGTH? Is there a difference? he wondered. Anakin couldn't decide. He also thought about the times he had fallen and hurt himself... how Obi Wan merely folded his arms across his massive chest, and motioned young Anakin to stand and bite pain on the nose. Not once, when there were tears did Obi Wan ever hug him the way a child deserved to be hugged. Yes, the master's fist was made of iron. And now, there was Anakin's... both literally and figuratively. And he had Obi Wan to thank.

The Jedi parted ways, and very amicably with Obi Wan promising to write his pledge. Anakin went straight to Padme's house to tell her the good news. When he arrived, he found her sitting at the table, a piece of fruit, bread, and juice before her. He raced directly to the bedroom and stripped out of his clothing.

And there it was. Again... She hadn't even put them away.

He left his shirt on the floor then walked to the dining room where Padme read the paper as she ate. He sat across from her and tried to catch her eye. But Padme, seemed to be engrossed in the morning paper. Or at least, tried to give the illusion of being engrossed in the paper. She was hiding something. After staring at her for a long while, waiting to be acknowledged, she looked over the top of the newspaper and smiled... the gleam of deceit in her eyes.

"Good morning, my love," she said, reaching across the table for his hand.

He took hers into his own and forced her to meet his gaze. She was nervous, but tried to hide it. His senses were more acute than her feeble attempts at deceit.

"I saw a pair of pants, a shirt, and tunic on your bed last night. What were they doing there?"

Padme looked away then pushed her chair back and stood. "Can I get you something to eat?" she offered in a cheerful nonchalant voice that didn't sound like her own.

"I'm not hungry," Anakin replied. "Whose are they?!" he repeated.

Padme stepped back and met his gaze... she swallowed and wrung her hands together nervously.

"I can't talk about it," she said, turning away.

"Whose are they?" Anakin asked, in a more menacing tone.

Padme steeled herself.

"Obi-Wan Kenobi's," she replied.