A/N: First of all, thank you, thank you, thank you for the lovely reviews! And I thank all of those who have favorited/followed as well. I try to respond to reviews, but it's rare that I get the chance to do so because, up until today, my internet access has pretty much been limited to my phone. My parents got internet at their house and I'm over for a visit this afternoon, so I figured...hey, why not update this story?

Here I am, posting this chapter that has been done for...like...a month. I do so in the hopes that will kick start the part I'm stuck on in the NEXT chapter.

Here we delve into some OOC behavior for Obi-Wan. At least, OOC for Obi-Wan as we know him. Again, please remember that this is a Jedi Order which not only allows attachments, but encourages them. I wanted to write a bit with Sola. She is a relatively minor character who, for some reason, fascinates me. I could've done it between her and Padme. I felt, however, that it would be too heavy emotionally. And we're not done with heavy emotions regarding Padme during this visit. So I made this chapter a bit lighter and took the opportunity to even explore Obi-Wan's emotions regarding Qui-Gon a little.

It was nice, Obi-Wan thought to himself, to be on a planet like Naboo with a relatively carefree mind. He wasn't concerned about Qui-Gon's state of health, he wasn't slightly broody over the fact that he was apparently being replaced by a young boy none of them really knew, and he wasn't terribly worried that an army of droids with blasters would be around the next corner. He was, of course, still thinking about Padme and her own problems. But since he was reasonably certain that things were beginning to look up in that regard, it didn't weigh too heavily on his mind at the moment.

The only thing at present to cause him any worry was the fact that Anakin might accidentally injure Padme as they wrestled in the gardens behind the Naberrie home. He watched them from the kitchen window, unable to keep from smiling. The whole thing had started innocently enough. Anakin volunteered to show Padme a few of the moves he had learned so far in his combat training and, since Padme was trained in a few things herself, it had quickly dissolved into something between playful hand-to-hand sparring and some sort of disorganized wrestling match.

He reasoned that he shouldn't be too worried. Padme would be careful, he knew, and Anakin hadn't learned too much as of yet. Qui-Gon had only started his sparring lessons a few months ago. And the lightsaber training had begun just a few weeks before their mission.

Obi-Wan's smile widened as he looked back on that particular memory. He, Siri, and Corana had gone to watch Anakin's first session with the practice 'sabers. Mace and Yoda, at the request of Qui-Gon, had also been present. Ani was a quick learner when it came to the stances and movements of combat. It hadn't taken long for Obi-Wan to see that he was a natural. There were really only a couple of flaws as the boy mirrored the movements his master took him through. He kept trying to emulate the older Jedi's height, which meant he spent a good deal of his time on tiptoe and no amount of admonishment from Qui-Gon seemed to break him of the habit.

The other thing…Obi-Wan didn't really consider much of a flaw. Anakin had simply done what he himself had wanted to do the first few times he had a sparring lesson. Obi-Wan had been too self-conscious. Ani, not having that problem at all, made lightsaber noises with his mouth every time he moved the training saber. Master Yoda had seemed annoyed by this little trait, but both Corana and Siri had pronounced it adorable. And Obi-Wan had been fairly certain that Mace was trying not to laugh.

Obi-Wan reflected that Master Yoda could be a bit of a stick in the mud at times.

The sound of Padme's laughter jerked him back into the present. Anakin had lost, it seemed. Padme held the squirming boy down with her hands, grinning over her victory. She was stronger than she looked, even though she wasn't as physically healthy as she should be. Obi-Wan knew that and wondered briefly if he should've warned Anakin of this fact. Ani's shriek pierced the air as Padme began to tickle him in earnest.

No. Some lessons needed to be discovered on their own. And this was more fun.

"It's good to hear her laugh again."

He turned to find Sola standing behind him. She hadn't spoken to him much beyond their initial greeting. All through the lunch Padme's mother had prepared, she had actually only spoken at length to Anakin. Sola seemed to be at great ease with the young boy and Obi-Wan suspected that was why she was so eager to start a family of her own. Too eager, Padme had once said. But Obi-Wan didn't think there was such a thing, really. Not when it came to family.

"Mother needs a few things from the market. I was going to get them for her and I wondered if you'd like to come along."

Ah. He had wondered which Naberrie family member would have the assignment of finding out more about this sudden visit from the Jedi. Apparently, it would be Sola doing the questioning. Very well, then.

"That sounds lovely," he agreed. She seemed a bit surprised at his acceptance, but didn't let it show too much. Obi-Wan spoke briefly to Qui-Gon, letting him know where he would be, and then he and Sola left the Naberrie residence.

Sola didn't really say anything for a while and Obi-Wan was content to take in the sights of Theed. Or rather the outskirts of Theed. He was very glad Padme had come up with the idea of going to visit her family. He thought perhaps it would help her in regards to regaining focus on certain matters. Sometimes, when he was troubled, nothing helped to calm him more than spending a little time with Lea. He could only imagine it was due to the connection they shared as brother and sister, since no one could accuse Lea of being particularly soothing by nature. She was well-known for her almost frenetic vitality, a trait which probably explained her inherent gift for Ataru, and people usually found her presence energizing rather than calming. Obi-Wan, however, always found he was able to relax more when spending time with her. He was profoundly grateful that his sister had been able to train as a Jedi along with him.

A day with her family could definitely help things along where Padme was concerned. Panaka hadn't been thrilled about her plans to walk through Theed to her parents' home, however. It was a fairly long walk and Padme stubbornly refused to take any security. Obi-Wan had sympathized with Panaka's position, although he knew that both he and Qui-Gon would be alert for any sign of trouble.

"She looks ill."

They were nearly halfway to the market and Sola, apparently, had decided to simply call things as she saw them. He was grateful to her for that decision. It made things easier.

"Would you believe me if I said she actually looks better now than she did when we arrived yesterday?" he inquired. Sola only hesitated for a bit before answering.

"I would."

Obi-Wan, for reasons he didn't fully understand, found Sola somewhat fascinating. Her presence in the Force was a complete opposite of her sister's. She was…restful. Deep currents of contentment flowed around her and from her. Although she was young, it was clear to Obi-Wan that Sola knew her place in life and was more than happy with that knowledge. He detected the steely nature of her personality, however, and recognized that she was incredibly protective of her younger sister.

"Sabe promised me that she would take care of her," Sola's tone was soft, but Obi-Wan easily read the underlying anger. And…jealousy? This would never do.

"With all due respect, milady," he began cautiously, "none of this is Sabe's fault. I imagine you know better than anyone just how stubborn your sister can be. I suspect that Padme would not be in the shape she is in if she had simply confided in someone before now. Anyone. You, Sabe, your parents…"

He trailed off, letting her digest his words and hoping that he hadn't overstepped his bounds. Sola was someone he would like to have for a friend. An ally in helping to make sure that Padme didn't let herself become overwhelmed by guilt anymore.

"Sola," she finally said.

"Excuse me?"

"You called me 'milady'. I would prefer Sola, if you don't mind. It's what all my friends call me," she smiled a little then and Obi-Wan grinned.

"Then Sola it is. And you should call me Obi-Wan. When you greeted me with 'Knight Kenobi', I felt very old indeed."

That made her laugh and Obi-Wan reflected that it sounded quite a bit like Padme's laughter. She sighed before continuing.

"My sister…is far too stubborn. Everyone in our family is, but I'm afraid she outclasses us all in that regard. Sometimes, I wish that she could be content with a future as a wife and a mother. I know she's meant for greater things, though."

"The greatest accomplishment one can hope for is to bring a new life into the universe," Obi-Wan countered. "But I understand what you're saying. Where some would only hope for change, Padme is more determined to actually make it happen. She has the will and the passion to do so, but I think all that turned back on her in this particular case. People forget she's still very young. I have to remind myself sometimes."

Sola nodded her agreement as they came in sight of a small street market. She slowed her pace and Obi-Wan followed suit.

"All of this started with the anniversary of the battle, didn't it?"

He shot a glance towards her, unable to mask his surprise.

"Are all the Naberrie women this perceptive?" he inquired.

She shrugged the question off lightly.

"I knew she was having trouble dealing with the reality of people dying. She would mention things in her messages to me. Things that probably wouldn't mean anything to an acquaintance, but to someone who knows her…I could see she was struggling. I tried to talk to her on a couple of occasions. She changed the subject," Sabe sighed and he had the feeling she was replaying those occasions in her mind. "Our correspondence dwindled somewhat, as though she just couldn't find the time or energy to send me a simple message every once in a while. My friends reminded me that, as Queen of Naboo, her own time was severely limited. But they don't know Padme the way I do. She always finds time for her family. I used to hear from her nearly every other day. Sometimes just very short messages, but always something to let me know she was thinking of me. That she was still my baby sister underneath all that makeup and those ridiculously heavy headdresses."

Obi-Wan bit back a smile with that revelation. Evidently, he was not the only one to hear the complaints about how trying it was to deal with all the ornamentation that came with being queen.

"You seem to have helped," Sola continued. "I'm glad someone was able to get through to her."

There was an underlying emotion in her tone that Obi-Wan understood very well. It was something all older children had to come to grips with at some point or another. The disconcerting and sometimes even downright depressing realization that someone other than themselves was suddenly required to "fix" whatever was bothering their younger siblings. In spite of the very special bond between sisters as close as Sola and Padme, Sola was now faced with the fact that she was no longer her sister's main confidante. Obi-Wan had dealt with it years before, when Lea's own friendship with Barriss Offee had deepened and he realized that Lea would never confide everything in him ever again. Which was as it should be. At that age, Lea had needed a close female friend and Obi-Wan couldn't think of anyone better than Barriss. It didn't make it any easier to let go, however.

He sighed inwardly, wondering how to best explain the situation to Sola without betraying Padme's confidence. There was no need to go into details about the young queen's thoughts on leaving the political arena. Sola had known there was something to do with the anniversary of the battle, however. And since that's where all of this had begun…

"Padme shoulders a very unique set of responsibilities. Someone her age should never have to make a decision to send people into battle. She has been carrying the guilt of her people's deaths with her ever since she learned lives were lost. I often wondered if it would be too much for her, but I assumed she would confide in someone. Her family, Sabe…even Panaka. I never dreamed she was keeping it all to herself."

"Perhaps if we had pushed her harder?" Sola ventured. Obi-Wan only shook his head.

"No. That probably would've made it worse. I know a little something about guilt," he confessed with a wry smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "I was forced to deal with what I felt, but there was someone in authority over me. Someone I would be in almost constant contact with on a day to day basis. There was nowhere to hide. I imagine your parents might have been able to force the issue. I get the feeling that she managed to keep away from them, however. Who in the palace is going to force the queen to do anything? Advise, yes. Command? Certainly not."

They fell silent as they reached the first stall in the market. Sola made a show of looking over the merchandise, but Obi-Wan could tell her mind was on what he had just said. One particular item caught his eye, however, and he quickly selected a shuura fruit.

"Want one?" he asked Sola, who was watching him with wide eyes.

"You can't possibly be hungry again," the disbelief was more than apparent in her voice, although he could tell she was amused as well.

Jobal Naberrie had cooked enough food to feed a small army and all of it had been absolutely amazing. Obi-Wan knew he must look like a horrible pig to Sola, but he merely shrugged.

"I'm not, actually," he confided. "I love these, though. Never could pass up a chance to eat one."

"Hopeless. Just like most men," Sola smiled and shook her head, clearly happy with the lighter turn their conversation was taking.

"Guilty as charged," Obi-Wan replied, winking at the young woman running the stall as he handed her a couple of credits. A light blush colored her cheeks as she took the money from him.

Obi-Wan never was one for delaying when it came to shuura fruit. He'd already taken his first bite before they'd started moving on to other stalls.

"Are you aware that you're a horrible flirt?" Sola asked as they walked.

"Do you mean that I'm not good at flirting? Or that I flirt too much?" he returned her question with one of his own. He smirked slightly before continuing. "I hope you mean that I do it too much. I've always thought I was rather good at flirting."

"You're doing it right now!" Sola exclaimed, her smile widening. "Knight Kenobi, you are aware that I'm spoken for aren't you?"

He grinned, relishing the playful conversation.

"Now who's flirting?" he accused. Sola shrugged in response. "In all seriousness, though…yes. I'm painfully aware that I'm a flirt. It's not necessarily a good trait to have, especially for a Jedi. Qui-Gon tried to break me of it, but that lesson clearly didn't take. At least not completely. Believe me when I say that I was much worse when I was younger. Luckily, Siri is a bit of a flirt as well. So there's not very much trouble there."

Well, aside from her issues with Usaki, Obi-Wan thought. But that certainly wasn't a topic up for discussion with anyone aside from Siri herself. Truthfully, he couldn't understand why he was being so open with Sola. He wondered if it was just an effect the Naberrie women had on people.

"Well, I'm glad you didn't use too much of your charm with Padme. She was quite taken with you once you left to go back to Coruscant. Although I think you might've known that."

He nodded and smiled slightly. In the early days of his correspondence with Padme, it hadn't taken long for Siri to teasingly announce that the young queen had developed a crush on him. Although he vehemently denied it, he had to eventually admit that she was right. It hadn't concerned him, though. He had suffered through Lea's teen years as only an older brother could and he knew better than to think a fifteen year old girl's crush would last very long. Especially since he wasn't anywhere near Naboo.

The wording of her letters had changed over the past year, gradually losing the almost worshipful tone. He understood that she considered him one of her best friends, just as he considered her one of his. The rapidity with which they had established this connection still astonished him at times. But he was confident that she no longer harbored any 'romantic' feelings towards him.

"Don't give me all the credit," he responded. "I was having problems of my own during my first visit to Naboo. Starting a friendship with your sister was the one bright spot in the whole ordeal. It was nice to have someone to talk to that had a different perspective on things."

"And now you're helping her in return?" came the inquiry. Obi-Wan cast a sideways glance at Sola, a little concerned about the hesitancy that had suddenly crept into her voice.

"I suppose I am," he agreed as he followed her over to a larger stall that was selling various trinkets. "I certainly hope that what I'm teaching her will help. From what I've seen so far, she's been started on the right path."

Sola began examining some of the items that were on display. Obi-Wan watched her closely. Like her sister, she was very good at masking her emotions on the surface. Unfortunately for both girls, he was able to sense things underneath the surface. As soon as the conversation had turned back to helping Padme, Sola's emotions had become nearly tumultuous. Concern, frustration…fear. She dealt well with all of it, though. Obi-Wan had to admit that much.

After paying for her purchase, Sola indicated that they should head back to her parents' home. Obi-Wan raised his eyebrows.

"Your mother sent you to the market to buy two small silver bowls?" he asked. She fidgeted slightly, the first time he had seen her uncomfortable during their entire conversation.

"Well…we are out of shuura fruit. Mother usually makes sure we have plenty when Padme visits because they're her favorite. But since we didn't know she was coming this time, I better get a few of those, too. Mother is determined that all of you will stay for dinner as well. We can have them for dessert."

She headed back towards the stall they had stopped by earlier. Obi-Wan followed without protest, both amused and slightly irritated over the fact that Sola was suddenly beating around the bush regarding Padme.

Silence reigned for a good portion of their walk back to the Naberrie residence. Obi-Wan finally broke the sudden tension by being mischievous. Sola had refused his offer to carry the small basket containing the aforementioned bowls and fruit, most likely out of concern that he would gobble up all the shuuras before they got home. Obi-Wan had the grace to admit her concern was valid. It was painfully clear that she was, for some reason, worried about something aside from the fact that Padme was having a hard time. He was determined to find out what the problem was.

Holding his right hand out slightly, Obi-Wan unabashedly and unashamedly used the Force to pluck one of the shuuras from its resting place in the basket. Sola stopped in shock, following the floating fruit with her eyes until it settled quite neatly in Obi-Wan's waiting hand. She stared at him as he gave her an unapologetic grin and took a bite.

"That's cheating, you know," she finally said.

"They say cheaters never prosper," he commented, making a show of examining his ill-gotten gain. "But it seems to me that I won out in this particular case."

Sola smiled and Obi-Wan took advantage of the more easygoing atmosphere in the conversation.

"Now, before we get back to your parents' home, do you suppose you could tell me what else is bothering you?"

Her smile faded, but he was relieved to note that the tension which had been present only a few moments before was gone.

"What are you teaching her?" she finally asked.

The question took him slightly off-guard. He wasn't sure why she would be concerned about his method of helping Padme. Although, now that he thought about it, it would make sense that she would be curious. It would take too long, of course, to explain everything in detail. He opted instead to be a little more simplistic with his answer.

"Generally speaking, I'm guiding her through a basic Jedi meditation. We'll only be here for a few days, but Padme is an intelligent and determined person. In addition, simply because she's older, she already possesses levels of patience that most Jedi do not when they begin this particular exercise. At least I know I didn't. It would be more difficult if she wasn't very strong in the Force, but…" he trailed off as he suddenly realized what Sola's concern was. "You knew she was offered a place at the Jedi Temple."

Sola nodded.

"I was only six at the time. Padme was three," she fiddled with the handle on the basket as she recounted the memory. "My parents don't know that I heard the conversation. I was supposed to be in bed. You…you aren't going to tell her, are you? If it was just a simple matter of being kept in the dark about the whole thing, I don't think she'd care. I know my sister has never had an overwhelming desire to be a Jedi. Or really any desire to be a Jedi. But neighbors knew about the visit from the Jedi, gossip spread, and Padme found out about the whole thing at school one day. My parents had to tell her something. Just not knowing about it is one thing. But to learn that my parents actually lied to her…she would be so hurt. Even if she knew they did it simply to protect her."

Obi-Wan shook his head, wondering if Padme's parents were harboring the same concerns. While he understood their position, he couldn't quite bring himself to agree with it. Maybe if he had children of his own, he might. He did know, however, that Padme absolutely hated duplicity of any kind. For that reason, he had already decided there was no reason to reveal the secret her parents kept. Of course, if she ever discovered the truth, that put him squarely in the line of fire as well. But he'd risk it.

"I have no intention of telling Padme anything about it. I'm her friend. I like to think that I'm one of her very few close friends. But this involves family and it's not my place to tell her such a thing."

Relief flooded Sola's face and she quickly darted towards him, planting an unexpected kiss on his cheek.

"Thank you," she said quietly. Her cheeks flushed as she realized what she'd just done. Clearly, Sola was not given to impetuous behavior. Obi-Wan teased her lightly in the hopes that he could set her mind at ease.

"I thought you were spoken for, Miss Naberrie," his tone slightly chastising. The conversation was thus diverted, just as he'd hoped it would be. They spent the rest of the walk speaking of Sola's life at the university and her plans to marry the next year. It was quite obvious to Obi-Wan that she was absolutely head over heels in love with Darred. From all he was hearing, the feeling was more than mutual.

By the time they got back to the house, he had learned all of Sola and Darred's plans. The couple clearly had things figured out. He knew Padme thought her sister was marrying too young, but he couldn't bring himself to agree with his friend on this particular point. Sola seemed to know just exactly what she was entering into and she was doing so without reservations. All the talk, however, did make him painfully aware of how much he missed Siri. He resolved to contact her as soon as they got back to the palace that night. Even if he did wake her up, he knew she wouldn't mind.

The sight of everyone seated at the dining room table made Obi-Wan wonder if it was time for dinner already. Surely not. He didn't think he could handle anymore food at the moment. To his relief, he saw that everyone was merely drinking what looked to be some hot tea. That…actually sounded good. His eyebrows shot up as he took in the sight of Anakin cheerfully shoveling yet another helping of food into his mouth. He shook his head in disbelief as he sat down with the rest of the group.

"Don't you ever feed him?" Obi-Wan asked Qui-Gon, who was seated to his left. Anakin, it seemed, was far too engrossed in his food to pay any attention to other things. He hadn't even noticed Obi-Wan and Sola enter the room. Everyone wore varying looks of amusement as they watched the young padawan enjoy Jobal's cooking.

"Growing boys," the older Jedi replied with a smile. "You were the same once. I seem to recall the first time you were left on your own for more than a day while I was on a mission. You were sixteen, I believe, and the mission…well, the Council felt it was better for any padawans to stay behind. I wasn't overly concerned. You were in the Jedi Temple, after all. There's really no safer place in the galaxy. And in spite of that fact, I had asked Corana to make sure you were alright…without letting you know that's what she was doing, of course. You had a very fragile ego when you were younger."

Obi-Wan scowled at his former Master, who was unaffected by the look. Padme, sitting across from Obi-Wan, giggled and Obi-Wan scowled at her, which made her want to laugh even more. In desperation, she disguised it with a cough that wasn't fooling anyone.

"The kitchen was pretty much fully stocked before I left. We had enough food to feed both of us for a week. So imagine my surprise when I returned four days later and was greeted with an upbraiding from Corana. It seems I went off and left you to 'starve', although if you ask me a sixteen year old boy should be fully capable of getting some food to his own quarters. Or you could've eaten in the main hall."

The scowl increased.

"With all the younglings? No, thank you."

"No sixteen year old boy would want to be seen eating with a bunch of children," Ruwee grinned. "You had your reputation to consider, after all."

"Reputation as a food compactor, perhaps," Qui-Gon deadpanned.

Padme gave up all pretenses and burst into laughter.

"Stop that," Obi-Wan nudged her foot with his under the table. "It's not that funny."

"If you could only see the look on your face…" she snickered. When Obi-Wan looked down the table and saw that even Jobal was smiling, he knew his cause was lost.

"Oh, I'm sorry I even brought it up," he muttered, trying very hard to look annoyed and not succeeding in the slightest. Qui-Gon nudged him slightly with his elbow and Obi-Wan looked over to find a wonderfully familiar look on his former master's face. It was one he hadn't seen since Qui-Gon's announcement of taking Anakin as a padawan. A look that would mean nothing to any observer, but which communicated to Obi-Wan just how much Qui-Gon loved him.

The emotions elicited by this simple glance threatened to overwhelm Obi-Wan all at once and he barely managed to smile at Qui-Gon before he had to turn away. While he was happy that this trip was clearly doing more to mend his relationship with Qui-Gon than he had thought possible, every little improvement brought with it a rush of feeling that he had difficulty releasing into the Force. Searching for a distraction, he turned his attention to Padme.

"We brought some shuura fruit back from the market," he told her. "Sola said it's your favorite."

Padme's face lit up.

"It IS my favorite," she informed him. "Mother doesn't care for it, but she usually has some whenever I come to visit."

"I'll make some shuura tarts for our dinner dessert tonight," Jobal promised her youngest daughter. Her response was a brilliant smile and a return promise of assistance.

"Tarts?" came Anakin's sudden inquiry. Obi-Wan rolled his eyes and Qui-Gon shook his head in gentle amusement.

"Repeatedly say 'Anakin, stop levitating Master Windu's cat' and he doesn't seem to hear," Qui-Gon remarked teasingly. "Mention the word 'tarts' once in a conversation that doesn't even involve him and he's suddenly all ears."

Obi-Wan couldn't help but smirk as he recalled that particular incident. He said nothing, observing the amusement of Padme and Sola as Anakin defended himself. Qui-Gon continued to rib his padawan about poor Pouncer, greatly dramatizing the situation. Just as Obi-Wan had known he would do. It was a favorite tactic of Qui-Gon's and Obi-Wan had already heard this particular back and forth several times since the whole thing occurred. Honestly, though, it never got old. Pouring himself a cup of tea, he sat back in his chair and exchanged a grin with Padme while Anakin protested that he really hadn't heard Qui-Gon say anything at all.

As the familiar teasing of his former master started up again, Obi-Wan admitted to himself once more that, aside from Padme's problem, this trip wasn't nearly as bad as he had thought it would be.