A/N: Hello! Thanks to QueenNaberrie, froovygirl, and SWfanfan for reviewing. On with the update!

Chapter Sixteen

Make Us Stronger

x-x-x

Attachment is forbidden

Possession is forbidden

Compassion which

I would define as

Unconditional love

Is central to a Jedi's life

So you might say

We are encouraged to love

x-x-x

Obi-wan stood in the Jedi Council Room. There were a few moments of silence before Yoda spoke and Obi-wan was deep in his thoughts.

There was the slightest impulse building in his mind and behind his lips to say something.

To tell them he wanted to marry Siri.

He almost laughed at the train of thought. He was one of the order's most level-headed members. They regarded him as one of the wisest and most sensible Jedi and here he was having the most irrational, illogical, and foolish thoughts and inclinations.

He would tell them eventually. That was a promise he made to himself and Siri. But now was not that time.

Yoda looked at him.

"Your last mission, unsuccessful it proved to be. However, beyond your control the circumstances were. Skywalker's efforts as well as yours and Ahsoka's, appreciated they were."

"I am ready to go back, Master Yoda."

"Missing a member of your team, you are."

"Yes. I would have liked to have Anakin by my side. And perhaps eventually he could join me on the mission. I suggest maybe another Jedi be sent on this mission in his place."

"And who might you suggest?"

"Siri Tachi."

"A skilled warrior, she is."

"I think the combination of two very experienced Jedi would better serve the purpose and severity of this mission. I could consult Anakin every now and again to help me get around the planet. And of course it would be a good learning experience for Ahsoka."

"I think right you are, Master Kenobi."

Obi-wan smiled. "Thank you, Master Yoda."

The diminutive Jedi Master returned the smile.

Padmé looked down at Anakin.

He was smiling at her. The usual innocent smile. The charming, warm smile. But when she looked into his eyes, she could see behind that smile, behind the variations in his beautiful blue eyes that he was scared.

They had given him pain medication, but since they were working directly with his nerves there was only so much they could do for the pain.

Padmé held his hand, running her thumb over his knuckles.

There were several pieces of rather large machinery fixed to his legs, with countless wires running from them.

He kept smiling though.

Padmé ran her hand through his hair. It was soft under her touch. She was reminded faintly of early morning kisses while they still lay in bed.

She missed those moments and she wondered how long it would be before they had them again.

She bent over him and kissed his forehead. She sat back in her seat and all the while his eyes never left hers.

"Initializing protein synthesis." One of the medical droids said.

His brows furrowed and his grip on her hand loosened. He clenched his fists at his sides and he started trembling.

When he saw her frown he tore his eyes away from hers.

"You can- leave if- it upsets you." He said through gritted teeth.

"You need me right now. Leaving would be selfish."

"But it would make you feel better." He gasped.

"I hate to see you upset, Padmé. I-I can't stand it."

"Anakin." She stroked his cheek. He was still shaking a little. He kissed her palm.

"I'll be okay, Ani. I'm not going to leave your side."

He smiled weakly and then he shut his eyes and set his lips in a thin line and she could see his jaw tense.

He was much paler then. She touched his face again and it was damp with sweat.

She wondered how much more of the procedure he could handle.

A minute passed.

"Phase I complete."

His exhale was harsh. He opened his eyes, almost trying to blink away the pain.

The medical droids freed his legs from the machinery and he sat up slightly disoriented.

Padmé cupped his face in her hands.

"You did well, Ani."

He smiled weakly. "Really?"

"You were so brave. I'm proud of you."

He tucked his face in her shoulder.

She kissed the soft tufts of his hair.

"Anakin."

He was tracing winding little paths at the small of her back.

"I miss you, Ani."

He looked at her. "I'm right here." He whispered.

"I know. I mean, I miss our normal life."

He smiled. "Normal? When were we ever normal?"

"You know what I mean. Our version of normal."

"You miss our home." He said softly.

"I miss being with you in our apartment. I miss waking up with you and falling asleep with you. I miss watching you put our children to bed."

He traced a line over her brow and temple and then he brushed her chocolate curls away from her face.

"I miss that too."

She touched his face, the tips of her fingers running slowly over his mouth.

His eyes were half-lidded. She moved towards him and their lips met. His fingers teased the hair at the nape of her neck and his mouth opened over hers slowly and she echoed him and their lips parted and closed and parted and closed over each other.

She felt very light-headed and she had to remind herself that they weren't home. She pulled away.

His breath was warm on her lips.

"You know. They only have to do the treatments once a week. I don't have to stay here."

"I can just bring you back weekly for them you mean."

"Yes. We can go home. If that's what you want." He said.

She wrapped her arms around him and he held her to him gently.

"It's what I want." She whispered.

Anakin put the last of his Jedi garb on and Padmé was so happy to see him look like his old self again.

Granted his cheeks still looked a bit sunken in and he needed to put some weight back on, but he looked a little closer to the Anakin that had left for Tatooine a month ago.

Padmé stood before him and reached out her arms.

"I don't know if this is the best idea."

"I'm just going to help you into the hover-chair."

"I'm much heavier than you, Padmé. You're so small."

She smiled wryly. "I was very athletic as a child, Ani. I'm a lot stronger than I look."

"I just don't feel right. Maybe you should ask…"

She cut him off. "Don't start with me, Mister."

He smirked.

She motioned for him for to take her hands.

He grabbed her forearms and she pulled him up. He was on his feet for a split second and then he stumbled. She caught him.

"It's okay." She reassured him.

She paused.

"Can you feel?"

"I can't feel anything." He said barely above a whisper.

"That's okay. It's too early anyway."

She helped him into his hover-chair.

He looked up at her and grinned.

"Let's go home."

She ruffled his hair and kissed the top of his head.

Their bedroom was dark and Padmé didn't bother to turn any lights on. The light from the traffic outside was enough.

Anakin was still in his hover-chair. He was sitting by Luke and Leia's cribs, his fingers running along the outer edge of Luke's crib.

"You can hold them when they wake up."

He looked at her. "I would like that."

Padmé helped him into bed and she lay down next to him.

She draped an arm over him and placed her head on his chest and he felt the contentment wash over him. There were moments in the past week where he felt less than a man, less than a human. But he felt complete and perfect when she touched him.

She traced the tree branch shaped scars on his chest. He covered her hand with his.

He closed his eyes. "I love you, Padmé."

She smiled.

"I love you too."

Obi-wan looked into Siri Tachi's eyes. They were warm and her cheeks were rosy.

When he thought of her, he had often pictured things like fire and lightning. Solar flares and shooting stars. Brilliant, striking things. Piercing things. Fierce things.

But as he looked at her now he didn't think of any of those things.

Instead he thought of slow sunrises and calming winds. Of distant waterfalls and flowered fields.

"Are you sure about this?" He asked.

"Yes. I want to come with you."

"You don't think our…attachment will distract us in battle?"

She ran her fingers along his beard and then stroked his cheek.

"No. I think it will make us stronger."

He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her forehead.

They were going to prove the Jedi Order wrong.

This mission was going to be a success.

And it was going to be a success because of the love they felt for each other.

It would make them stronger.