Anakin sat up with relief as he sensed Obi-Wan's presence in the vicinity. He was tired. Tired physically and mentally. The only thing worse than wrestling with his personal demons was doing it alone, with only a few conversations carried out over distance. The wall com signaled. "Ani?"

"He's back, isn't he?"

"Alliance command requested he come see them at once. I bet he checks on you first though."

"I hope so."

Obi-Wan's first clue something was amiss was that the heavy emergency door to the corridor was shut and locked and he had to use his special clearance to get the droids guarding it to let him in. He reached out with the force, looking for trouble. Anakin's presence was a flickering light. He felt the flare of welcoming relief and a responsive touch through the force. He hurried forward to their quarters but then he stopped cold inside the door. Recovering, he rushed to the cell and opened the outer door to reveal the extra layer of protection, the shield. "I think I can guess why they want to see me right away."

"Really? What gave it away?" Anakin asked with the air of a man who'd been staring at blank walls for days.

"You look terrible." Obi-Wan could tell at a glance he'd lost weight and there were dark circles under his eyes.

"Thanks. You look wonderful. Possibly because I'm so desperately hoping you can help. Find the holocrons?"

Obi-Wan considered his shattered furnishings. "Yes. Perhaps I'd best find somewhere else to store these."

"Perhaps you could consult them for what to do about former sith having force nightmares and lashing out in his sleep?"

"Oh. Dear." Obi-Wan sighed. "Qui-Gon clued me you were having problems and I shouldn't dally. But this…" he looked up sharply. "Was anyone hurt?"

Anakin winced. "No people. I did a number on a couple of guard droids and the holocams were … well…"

"I see." Literally, Kenobi could see the shattered bits of holocams. They had been replaced by a small robot some hours ago. But clearly they had gone ahead pulled back all the neighbors out of reach. Or so they hoped.

"Well, I'd better go see them. Then I'll come back and see what the holocrons say about this."

Anakin's gaze dropped to the holocons he could see through the force shield as his old master left the room. He sincerely hoped there was something besides "once you start down the dark side, forever will it dominate your destiny." He refused to believe Yoda's old observation meant he would fall back into the dark.

Obi-Wan strode toward the Alliance command center.

Padmé rushed up and actually hugged him. She pulled back rapidly. "I'm so glad your back."

"I stopped and checked on Anakin on the way here." Obi-Wan nodded. "Apparently I need new furniture."

"It seemed kind of pointless to replace it while you were gone." Leia grumbled. "He just kept smashing things." She paused. "Is he really doing this in his sleep, do you think?"

"Yes. I do. He was always prone to visions and nightmares."

"Are we doing enough to be safe?"

"I'll consult the holocrons I found on ways to prevent the mayhem." Kenobi sidestepped the question. "Who decided to pull everyone back?"

"I did." Padmé conceded, flushed. "But I only meant it for while he was on the sedative. The doctor noticed he was having trouble sleeping and gave it to him. But it only made it worse. He still had the nightmares, only then he couldn't wake up. And meanwhile he was lashing out at everything. I wanted to go back in afterward but …" Her brows furrowed and she looked aggravated. "They wouldn't let me. Wouldn't let anyone in but droids. He must be going crazy in there."

"He is looking very stressed."

"Can I please see him now?"

Obi-Wan hesitated, considered. "Why don't you join us for dinner?"

She smiled. "I'd like that. In fact, I'll bring it. Tell him that. Might take his mind off the nightmares, and encourage his appetite. He's not eating much."

"That sounds like a very good idea."

Returning to Anakin, Obi-Wan paused to consider the mess of the room. He nudged the repulsor cart he was pushing in. He'd brought a table and chairs along with a new lamp. He turned to lock the door behind him, more to assure the leaders he was being cautious than out of any thought that it would slow Anakin. Even at twelve years old he probably could've hacked it.

Anakin was sitting on the bunk watching him. "Not to complain, but I've been bored silly."

"I can imagine. I didn't exactly find my years meditating on Tatooine stimulating. Productive, but not stimulating." He reminded him.

Anakin winced at this.

Obi-Wan unlocked the shield. "Well, seeing as you created this mess, how about cleaning it up and replacing the furniture. I have holocrons to study and we have company coming for dinner. It would be nice if we at least had somewhere to sit besides our bunks."

Anakin shot out of the room so fast he was a blur. "Thank you, thank you." He stretched and spun around the room at a fast walk, swinging his arms and even did a quick flip in place. Obi-Wan stared at him. "Even after days in there, it's really unfair you have so much energy. I thought you were tired. We'll have to see about arrangements for you to get more exercise. Maybe it'll help you sleep better too."

Anakin winced at the word 'sleep'. "I'm tired and cramped."

Obi-Wan went to the repulsor sled and picked up a locked trunk. He took it to his bunk, sat down, and unlocked it. Opening it carefully he withdrew a holocron. Anakin paused to watch.

Obi-Wan smiled.

Anakin smiled too. "I'm glad they are home." His smile faded. "Careful of booby traps. I don't trust what they might've done to them."

"Count on it. I will look out for anything Palpatine might've altered." Obi-Wan paused "And I've already made sure there are no bombs, poisons or other booby traps."

"That's good. I claim sole right to wreck our quarters." Anakin looked around doubtfully. Finally he steered the sled to his cell and dumped the new table and chairs there.

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Obi-Wan asked, kneeling on his cot and preparing to open the holocron. "Right there in your cell? Are you hoping if you block it, they won't cast you back in?"

"I wish." He snorted. "No, Its just the only clear spot to put it." He and Obi-Wan were both walking on the shattered remains of the previous furniture.

"Ah."

"Whose coming for dinner?" Anakin asked as he started to scoop up the destroyed furniture onto the cart.

"Your wife."

Anakin's eyes widened and he suddenly went at his task with new spirit. He did find himself distracted now and then by what the holocron revealed. Obi-Wan was interacting with a jedi of unknown origin expounding philosophy. But he wasn't feeling much up to figuring out the riddles, which were worthy of Master Yoda. He let it fill his ears, and filed them away for pondering at a more convenient time. Probably when he was looking for something to do to stave off the boredom. Right now the thought of finally seeing Padme again was a far more encouraging thought than the idea of what that old antique jedi might reveal.

Padmé arrived joyously bearing real food. Anakin swept her up in a bear hug as she set the food on the newly set up table. Padmé squeaked and he put her down quickly, aware of the holocams. Wary as they were he didn't want them to think it was an attack. Obi-Wan, he noticed had scarcely looked up from the holocron. He seemed deeply engrossed.

"Obi-Wan." Anakin called, amused that what would've once earned him a reprimand now didn't even catch his attention.

No answer.

He rolled his eyes and picked up a tray of warm food. He waved under Obi-Wan's nose. The other man started.

"Ah. Yes. Food. Thank you, Padmé."

"Your welcome. I made the bread."

"Really?" Obi-Wan was startled. He joined them at the table.

"No offense Obi-Wan, but how about pretending you are paying attention to my husband." Padme said casually spooning food onto her plate.

"I am paying attention."

"Not in a way the holocams could see."

"Oh." He looked up at that. "Afraid they'll think I'm not doing my job?"

Anakin's eyes widened. He was attacking the food like a starving ronto. That was a good sign, given the lack of appetite lately. "Oh. Please, yes, look like your paying attention. I may go crazy for real if I have to stare at those walls for another day."

Padmé and Obi-Wan both laughed at this.

"It's not funny!"

"No. It's just funny that we both knew you were going to say that." Padmé grinned.

"Or were thinking it at least." Kenobi noted. "If anyone questions my attention simply point out I'm searching for a cure for his rattling the room in his sleep."

"That will encourage them."

Anakin was not thrilled when it was the evening ended. Padmé had left, giving him a goodbye kiss on the cheek. He tried to fight off the depressing notion that part of what he was receiving was due to pity and not their former passion. He wished she could stay with him, or he with her, as they had not had nearly enough time as husband and wife even before he fell. He firmly checked the thought, knowing how dangerous it was. He knew what Obi-Wan or Qui-Gon would say. "Be mindful of your thoughts." He had to focus on the positive. She still loved him, in spite of everything.

"Anakin. We both know you can't avoid sleep." Kenobi stated firmly, distracting him from the unwelcome thoughts.

"No one likes what happens when I sleep. Do we have to shut the door?" He motioned to the cell.

"I believe people feel safer with the door shut."

"That's an illusion. It's not helping. Ask the door. And I sure don't feel safer with it shut."

Kenobi blinked at this and looked at the exterior cell door. The inner ray shield generator was fine but the outer metal door had dents. "I see your point. All right. I'm planning to stay up and study the holocrons some more anyway. It might be practical to see the nightmares in action."

"I don't want to see them in action anymore!" Anakin groaned testily. "I don't want to remember…" He choked to a halt. "You don't know what it's like."

Obi-Wan turned at this,. "Anakin, do you truly believe that? I may not bear the depth of guilt you do, but do you really think my failure to save you left me without nightmares? That I didn't visit Mustafar time again in my sleep and relive it again and again?"

Anakin swallowed. "I'm sorry. I guess I do sound kind of..." He sighed and sat on his bunk.

Kenobi interrupted gently. "You sound like someone who is too tired to think what he's saying. I will wake you if it gets violent. But you must learn to deal with them." Obi-Wan firmly touched his arm. "I cannot take your past from you and it would be dangerous to try. You can't learn from mistakes if you don't remember them. Learn to accept the mistakes and move on."

"Okay." He grumbled. He would do his best. But he wasn't sure it was enough.