They were at the apartment all too soon and Kenobi was suddenly very nervous of entering their foreign residence. He had studied the schematics of the building many times, as had his men, so he knew his way around the place pretty well by now. He was immediately struck by the powerful force presence in the apartments and looked to the sitting room where the force signature emanated from.
"Good to see you back, Sir," said Lt Danova as he saluted. Kenobi was glad to see him too, his vision while in Typho's room suddenly returning to his memory, the force perhaps giving him a gentle reminder of his usefulness after all.
"Good to be back, Lt," he said, "How's the Jedi behaving himself?"
Although obviously annoyed by his presence, there was a certain amount of awe radiating from both Lt Danova and Cpl Nacto.
"I have to admit he knows his stuff, Sir, and put us through our paces when he arrived. You could tell he was testing us and security here, but you could also tell he was impressed with our responses and the set up you had us instate. He's eager to meet you."
"I'm eager to meet him," said Kenobi nodding at Danova's response. "Did he have you change anything?"
"I think he's waiting to talk to you, out of respect for your position."
"Really?" Kenobi was surprised. "This should be interesting."
He made his way slowly and deliberately up the stairs to Padme's sitting room, putting off the meeting for as long as possible, checking his mental shields and suppressed force signature as he went. He knocked lightly, preparing one final time for his entrance.
"Come in," can the senator's voice and it seemed somewhat lightened from the last time he had heard her voice. He opened the door to find Padme and Anakin sitting next to each other on the couch in quiet conversation.
Padme turned from her conversation with Anakin when he entered and rose to greet him.
"Captain, I'm so glad you're home," she said and he took her hand and bowed to her.
"I'm glad to be home, my lady," he replied, "although I'm sorry I missed all the excitement." He looked over as Anakin who rose to meet him. He held out his hand to shake Skywalker's.
/Oh well,/ he thought, /now or never!/
Anakin took his hand, studying Kenobi's face as Kenobi studied his. There was no trace of the scrawny boy Qui-Gon had introduced him to on the Naboo cruiser and he had a quiet confidence that was obviously the result of Yoda's teaching. He was taller than Kenobi, although his pale Jedi robes seemed overly bulky for his slim form. The padawan braid he had was much more colorful than Kenobi's own had been at his age, but of about the same length. His features were handsome enough, but it was the piercing blue eyes that struck Kenobi. They seemed to almost glisten with controlled power and the force certainly did swirl around him. Kenobi had not been expecting quite such a penetrating gaze from the padawan and he felt for an instant he was discovered, but Anakin gave nothing away in his passive features.
"Jedi Padawan Skywalker, at your service, Captain," his voice was confident and controlled, his hand shake firm.
"It is a pleasure to meet the hero of Naboo," replied Kenobi.
The accolade had obviously been branded about the apartment a lot since the Jedi's arrival and he seemed genuinely embarrassed by it.
/I'm sure Yoda was good at teaching humility/ Kenobi thought, remembering the Jedi Master's ample use of his walking stick on young padawan's legs if they got too cocky. They moved to the sitting area where Padme and Anakin sat while Kenobi stood behind the senator.
"You've done excellent work here, Captain. The security seems well taken care of." After Anakin's embarrassment had worn off he was once again studying Kenobi's face as though trying to place it.
"Thank you, Jedi Skywalker." The Jedi's continuing scrutiny was beginning to concern Kenobi, who remained behind his mental shields. "Although, any advice you can give will be greatly appreciated. This attack has left us all shaken. How will you proceed with your investigation?"
Anakin lessened his intense gaze on Kenobi to answer the question.
"My mandate is to protect the senator in this situation, certainly until my master can join us. Coruscant security forces have begun an investigation and I believe interviews have been scheduled for the morning for everyone here."
"Perhaps you mere presence will draw out these aggressors," said Padme.
"If that is the case we will be ready for them, I assure you, Senator," said Anakin to her. Kenobi couldn't help notice the immediate connection the two seemed to share. He remembered they had spent more time together than he and Anakin had done and it was obviously calming Padme to have him present. Even though having the Jedi there threatened to expose him, he was glad Padme would have someone to lean on in this young fellow if that were the case and he had to leave her service, even though the very thought of having to depart caused him physical pain. He was able to hide his discomfort before either Padme or Anakin sensed it and Padme rose to leave.
"Well, it's been an extraordinary day, if you'll excuse me, I shall retire." Anakin rose and watched as she left. Kenobi could feel Anakin's regret at her leaving, but the lad quickly suppressed it to turn back to Kenobi and those piercing blue eyes were once again locked with his.
"Pardon my intrusion, but have we met before?" asked the young Jedi, still examining Kenobi's face, trying to place him. Kenobi could sense that his shields were holding and his force signature was still subdued, but he was engaging with the chosen one so he remained cautious, his response short and guarded.
"I'm sorry, Master Jedi, I would have remembered meeting you. Perhaps we can discuss any security changes you wish us to make."
Anakin thought for a moment on Kenobi's words, but if he suspected anything he didn't mention it and moved to leave the sitting room.
"Of course, Captain, let us remove to your office."
He left the room and Kenobi moved to follow him, breathing a sigh of relief. So far so good, he thought to himself, but there was still Yoda on his way and this was only the first meeting with Anakin. What would happen as time went on in the young man's company? He decided to do his job to the best of his ability until he was discovered and then face the consequences of his actions.