Obi-Wan Kenobi's starfighter landed on the platform outside the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. The evening air was dusky and full of the usual smog, but the lights of the city glittered like jewels in the sun. The noise of the traffic would soon be dulled once inside the Temple.
"Well R4, I'll see you on our next journey," Obi-Wan said genially, patting the red dome attached to the ship. The little astrodroid beeped happily in assurance. As Kenobi ascended the Temple steps he muttered to himself, "Though I still say that flying is for droids."
His boots click-clack-ed on the marble flagstones. The white marble columns gleamed in the fading light of the sun. Obi-Wan breathed in a sigh of relief and welcome as peace flooded through him. The Force was strong in the Temple. He gave himself a little smile and went into the great building.
He entered the Jedi Council room, and found Master Windu, Master Ti and Master Yoda conversing.
"Where you were, we began to wonder," said Yoda, the tips of his ears gently shaking as he spoke in his squeaky, gravelly voice. His green skin looked paler under the bright lights of the Council chambers.
"Didn't anyone tell Anakin that I wanted him to stay after the Council a few days ago?" asked Obi-Wan. "I've been trying to reach him by hologram and haven't been able to speak with him."
"He ran off right after the Council," said Master Windu simply. "Said he had urgent Jedi business."
Urgent "Jedi" business? Unlikely, thought Kenobi, shuffling from one foot to the other. He nodded. "Very well. At least he has not left Coruscant?" he asked hopefully.
"Young Skywalker resting in his chamber, may be," said Yoda calmly.
"It is very likely that he has stayed on Coruscant," reassured Windu, "as he has his arm to heal and a new prosthetic to attach to it."
"Well, I shall find him. I must speak with him immediately." As he turned to leave, Yoda stretched out his green, clawed hand.
"Rest, Young Skywalker must. In grave danger he was."
Obi-Wan nodded. "Understood, Master Yoda. I will not exhaust him. I merely wish to speak with him, that is all."
. . .
The light bell sound alerted Anakin and Padme to the visitor at the door.
"Who could that be at this hour?" asked Anakin, a little jealously.
Padme rolled her eyes at him. "Oh yes, I forgot to tell you I entertain male visitors while you're away. Can't you stop being jealous for once? I'll go see who it is." She bustled out of the bedroom to go answer the door, leaving Anakin feeling sheepish. He stood up, pulling on the robe he had taken off earlier. He still wore his dark Jedi tunic and leggings, but when it came to the charade that Anakin was merely good friends with Padme, he knew that wearing everything was key. He left the bedroom, and entered the living area, where Padme was letting Obi-Wan through the door.
"I'm pleased to see you, Master Kenobi," she was saying. "But why the visit? And so late in the evening?"
Obi-Wan stepped into the room with a laid-back smile, reassuring Padme with a wave of his hand. "There is nothing to worry about. I had a hunch I would find Anakin here visiting you."
Anakin raised an eyebrow. "A hunch, Master?"
Obi-Wan smiled, noticing his former padawan had come from the bedroom in the back, and nodded. "A hunch. I actually came here to talk with you," he said, pointing unoffensively at Anakin. "Not to seem rude, Padme, but would it be all right if I took Anakin out for a talk?"
She nodded and Anakin said, "Of course I'll come, Master." He gave a pointed look at Padme that said "Don't blow our cover!" but she demurely smiled.
Obi-Wan smiled at his friend. "I'll wait for you outside. I'll see you later, Padme, thank you, and good evening." The door hissed open smoothly and he stepped out, letting the door close behind him.
"Anakin," started Padme, walking toward him. "He may know. Or else, he may suspect, but I think we can trust him."
Anakin sighed. He looked into Padme's soft brown eyes, touched her soft brown ringlets with his fingers, then caressed her cheek with his hand. "I don't want to lose you," he whispered.
She held his hand to her cheek and closed her eyes. "You won't," she said firmly, looking at him lovingly. "You will never, ever lose me. Now, go talk with Master Kenobi. There must be something we can do to figure our lives out and live happily."
Anakin's eyes lingered on Padme's face. "We will be happy someday. I promise."
Padme's smile was sad. "I'm happy now, Anakin. I love you." And she leaned on her tip-toes to give him a sweet kiss. He hugged her, and then pushed the button to the door, letting it hiss open. The smell of permaconcrete struck him, along with the odd metallic smell from the air ducts outside. He stepped out and the door slid shut behind him.
Obi-Wan was waiting for Anakin, leaning casually against the wall, arms folded, and smiled pleasantly at his former padawan when he saw him.
"Evening, Anakin. Did you have a relaxing day with Senator Amidala?"
"I was able to rest, if that's what you're asking," said Anakin dryly.
"You spend a lot of time with her. Unusual amounts of time," commented Obi-Wan, the corners of his mouth twitching under his moustache.
Anakin chose not to comment but fixed his mentor with a look that said "drop it".
"In fact, it's been so long since I've seen the Senator . . . have you noticed that she suddenly is carrying offspring? I wonder who the father could be? Did she get married while we were off fighting in the Wars?"
"I imagine so," said Anakin, sounding slightly annoyed.
"Why are you irritated with me, Anakin? Are you not in the mood to be teased?"
Anakin's pushed his lips together. "Not really, Master. And I wish you would come out and say what you're poking at, instead of dancing around the issue."
Obi-Wan grew serious, but his face was still kind. "I know that Padme is carrying your child, Anakin."
Panic nearly choked Anakin. His mind reeled. He nearly staggered, but steadied himself against the wall. He asked,"Ex—excuse me?" incredulously.
"Come come, now, Anakin. Did you really think I was ignorant of your feelings, or hers? Or did you think I was just blind?" His smile grew and he walked up to Anakin, clapping him on the shoulders. "Well, leave it to the most impetuous, headstrong, rebellious Jedi to break one of the most important rules in the book!" He laughed.
Anakin wasn't sure he quite understood what was happening. The sounds of passing traffic were quite loud and he thought that maybe he had heard Master Kenobi wrong. He blinked, looking confused.
"Don't get me wrong, you should be in very big trouble, and I shouldn't be happy for you at all, but somehow, I think that this will work out in your favor." Obi-Wan looked at Anakin's pale face. "Well, at least you get to take the Trials and become a Jedi Master, at any rate, and we can find some way to hide the fact that you've gotten married and fathered a child . . . Anakin, say something. You look sick."
Anakin felt sick. And relieved. He also felt like he wasn't getting enough air. He'd anticipated more of a lecture from Obi-Wan, not this congratulatory speech.
"M—Master, I—I don't understand—"
"I won't keep you from her for much longer, my young friend," said Obi-Wan warmly. "Only know that you must be willing to become unattached to your wife and baby to be a true Jedi. It is a hard fact of Jedi life, but it will be harder for you, because now you have stronger bonds to break than the rest of us."
Anakin wanted to sit down. He felt like all the blood had drained from his head, leaving him dizzy and faint. He didn't know that feeling so relieved would make him feel physically sick. Most of his stress had just melted away, and his body didn't know how to handle it.
"I—Thank you?" he said, confused.
"Not to worry, not to worry," chuckled Obi-Wan. "You get a good night's rest. We will talk soon enough. You'll be taking the Trials very soon, so make sure you get your new prosthetic arm soon, all right?" He clapped Anakin's shoulder once again, and bid him goodnight, then walked away happily to the landing platform, his robes swaying in the gentle night breeze.
Anakin wasn't altogether entirely sure what had just happened, but as a calm breeze that smelled like transport exhaust ruffled his hair, he watched his master walk away to a blue speeder and climb in. He leaned against the door, a small smile beginning at the corners of his mouth.
. . .