Okay, this one's more of an interlude, but it was a case of yet another beastly chapter in the making. So I broke it up. –shrug-

I'm also taking a little liberty with the timeline from this point on. I know the Clone Wars lasted only three years and Ahsoka's leaving the Order came pretty close to the events of RotS (and this story takes place after that). But for the sake of this story, I'm drawing it out a little longer. You'll understand why in the next chapters. I just wanted to point that out now to clear it up :)

Anakin knew something was up. Obi-Wan had always added a sarcastic optimism to their joint missions, but now that sarcasm was all but absent. Even his Force signature felt different. It almost felt…lighter. But he also seemed more distracted than usual. Not during the missions, of course, but in the downtime between negotiations, firefights, and planning sessions. Whenever Obi-Wan thought he wasn't looking, Anakin noticed the small smiles, the faraway look in his eyes, and how much more often he stroked his beard as he usually did while in deep thought. Something had happened during his mentor's vacation several weeks back. He couldn't put his finger on it, but if he didn't know better he'd say that Obi-Wan had met someone.

Anakin shook his head and chuckled to himself. No, that was beyond impossible. Firstly, Obi-Wan had said he'd spent his entire two-week reprieve in the Temple. Secondly, this was Obi-Wan Kenobi, Mister Never-Get-Attached-To-Anyone-Ever, Mister Jedi-Aren't-Allowed-To-Have-Girlfriends. Hell, he hadn't acted like this when he was reunited with Satine. He'd obviously had a thing with her when they were younger and when they met again it was plain to see that he still cared for her. But he'd never let whatever feelings he'd had for her distract him like he was now. Besides, he'd never shown any interest in pursuing anyone, not even Satine. He'd had dozens of opportunities over the years to indulge himself, but never acted on a single one.

Anakin shook his head again, more forcefully this time. He was starting to give himself a headache – and the mental images of his former Master in romantic situations were putting a bad taste in his mouth. He set off in search of the Jedi in question, hoping a sparring session or a quick snack would help even things out.

Out in the open section of forest where the Jedi and clones had made camp there was little sense of privacy. But Obi-Wan had somehow managed to slip away; no one had seen him for over an hour. What could he be up to?

Latching onto the familiar Force signature, Anakin followed it to an outcropping of rocks (that were in reality the remnants of what was once a temple of some sort) near a cliff edge. Obi-Wan's back was to him, his silhouette outlined by a soft blue light that had nothing to do with the quickly setting sun and rising moons. Anakin was about to call out to him but stopped himself when he heard faint whispers. He strained to hear. He couldn't make out any words, but Obi-Wan's tone was worth noting: he sounded…well, calm (as always), but there was a peacefulness mixed with something else Anakin couldn't place. Whomever his brother-in-arms was talking to was someone Obi-Wan was comfortable around, almost intimately so…

Anakin shook his head for the third time to clear out the unbidden thought. At the same time the blue light dissipated as Obi-Wan shut off the holocom. He didn't move though. He sat as if in thought for a moment then exhaled audibly. Anakin saw the brief smile before it disappeared as the older man stood and turned. "Oh, hello, Anakin. What's wrong?"

"What makes you think something's wrong?" Anakin also didn't miss the hint of nervousness in his voice, as if he'd been caught doing something embarrassing.

It was quickly gone, however. "Whenever I leave you alone for more than five minutes there's always bound to be some sort of trouble you've gotten into."

Anakin normally would have responded with indignation, but Obi-Wan's mysterious holo conversation and subsequent behavior was more important at the moment. Preferring not to dance around the issue, he came right out with it. "Who were you talking to?"

Was that a blush coming to his mentor's face? "A friend. Someone I haven't seen in some time."

Obi-Wan had obviously hoped that explanation would suffice and Anakin would drop the matter. Yeeeeah, not gonna be that easy, old man. "Anyone I know?" he asked as Obi-Wan stepped past him.

The older Jedi paised for just a moment, but it was enough to make Anakin even more suspicious. "No, no one you've met."

"So what's her name?"

"Anakin…"

"If I've never met her, what's the harm in telling me her name?"

"What makes you think my friend is a she?"

That was a blush. "Don't answer my question with a question, Master. Seriously, why is it such a big secret? She's just a friend, right?"

Obi-Wan let out an exasperated, frustrated sigh, one that told Anakin he'd hit a nerve. "Anakin, it's nothing like that." He saw the younger man open his mouth to argue but one hard look cut him off. "Let. It. Go." And then he was gone.

Anakin could only stare after him, a twinge of mistrust working its way into his heart.