Hi! thank you again for all of the feedback I received for my last chapter, I really appreciate it! I have never actually written Padme before, but she's an amazing character, so I really hope I've done her justice here. I hope you enjoy!

Morana: Thank you so much for reviewing! I'm glad you enjoyed Anakin's interactions with everyone ^^

Disclaimers- Not George Lucas.

Anakin, at times, couldn't help but notice how small he was. It wasn't as though it was on his mind all the time, but it was another unavoidable change that he couldn't help but notice. The only time he didn't have to look up at people was when Obi-Wan was carrying him. It didn't particularly bother him though, he rather liked Obi-Wan carrying him around, especially seeing as his legs got tired a lot more often than they used to. But he couldn't reach half the things that he used to be able to, which was annoying, seeing as when the things he wanted to reach (like sweets) weren't allowed, his master could simply put them at the top of the cupboards; even standing on a chair, he couldn't reach them, which wasn't at all fair, but there was nothing the youngling could do about it.

Anakin didn't remember being so little when he had ran to Obi-Wan's rooms because of nightmares when he was first in the Temple. Even then, he still took up a bit of space. Now, he was lying in the centre of the bed, spread out like a starfish and his limbs weren't even close to the edges of the mattress. He didn't bother moving because he was very tired. Neither him or his master had had a very good night's sleep. The padawan's nightmares had only got worse last night and he felt bad for waking Obi-Wan up so often, but he was the only one who could fight off the Sith and all the monsters. Anyway, his master said he didn't mind and Anakin knew he wasn't lying that time.

The youngling whined a little, rubbing his eyes with one fist, the other looking for Markyle. He couldn't find him and he sat up looking around with bleary eyes for his friend. He slumped back and groaned when saw the bantha lying on the floor. With great reluctance he crawled to the edge of the bed, trying to reach his friend without taking a foot off the ground. He was just out of reach.

Puffing out an exasperated sigh, he clambered off the bed and grabbed the toy, hugging him to his chest. Well, he might as well go see Obi-Wan seeing as he was up now. He stumbled out of the Jedi's room, his limbs uncoordinated with drowsiness. He saw his master at the table and smiled.

"Hi, Master."

Obi-Wan looked round, before his eyes falling on Anakin. He smiled gently, "Hello, Anakin. How are you feeling."

He watched as the boy went over to him, helping the youngling clamber onto his lap, "Tired," the boy mumbled, slumping against his master, "'m sorry I woke you."

"It wasn't your fault," Obi-Wan murmured, stroking his hair, "you have some frightful dreams, padawan."

Anakin nodded, "They're scary," he smiled up at his master, "you keep all the bad things away, so it's okay."

Obi-Wan smiled down at him, "Oh, Bail dropped by."

"Take his pictures?" Anakin asked.

Obi-Wan smiled mysteriously and the child tilted his head a little in thought, "Yes. But he left something for you," the man's large hands lifted him up and stood him on the ground. Anakin was about to protest before he saw Obi-Wan pick up a large box on the table. His eyes grew round as he saw his master lean down and hand the box to him. He stared at it, then up at Obi-Wan who chuckled, "it's for you. Open it," Anakin nodded, sitting down on the floor. He slowly undid the ribbon and carefully lifted up the lid.

Obi-Wan's smile grew as watched Anakin gasp, his eyes wide and shining. Inside was a large pad of paper, next to which lay a row of brightly coloured pens and a box of paint. It was a pity Bail wasn't there to see it. The boy seemed hold his breath almost, staring at the art set before him before exploding.

"I love it!" Obi-Wan laughed as he watched Anakin jump up from his place on the floor and bounce around in excitement, clutching the bantha to his chest, "I love it, I love it, I love it!" He practically jumped into his master's legs, hugging them tight, "Bail is wizard!"

The Jedi grinned and nodded, "Yes, he is. Look, there's a note," he pointed to the box. Anakin turned and picked it up, frowning at it, "you try reading it," Obi-Wan encouraged gently. The boy glanced at him, the Jedi smiling and nodding.

Anakin tilted his head and started to read aloud, slowly, "Dear Anakin, I hope you like this..."

"Gift," Obi-Wan supplied.

"Gift. I wanted to... thank," he turned to his master, who nodded, "thank you for... giving me back my book... and looking after it so well. You're a... good artist, but I thought you could..."

"Use."

"Use some colour. Have fun... drawing. Love, Bail." He stared at the note a moment, before looking up and beaming up at Obi-Wan.

"We'll have to say thank you," Obi-Wan murmured, looking at the box. Bail really shouldn't have. Between the two of them they'd spoil Anakin for sure. But it was nice to see him so happy, especially after the turbulent night he had, "he's very busy though... we'll give him a message."

...

"Master, you sure banthas don't like baths?" Anakin asked uncertainly, his eyes on Markyle who was sitting by the sink.

"Absolutely sure," Obi-Wan replied, smiling, "if you put a bantha in a bath they may shrink."

"Like me?"

The Jedi chuckled and shook his head, "Not quite like you, no," Anakin kept on eye on his friend whilst his master washed his hair, "Anakin, I need to talk to you about something," Anakin looked up, "Padme's visiting today."

Anakin's eyes grew round, "Really?!" he shouted, splashing water as he sat up straight.

Obi-Wan smiled a little sadly at his reaction. Anakin's relationship with Senator Amidala had always been one that the Jedi would have frowned upon. His padawan had always adored Padme, there was no denying that. Force, he still remembered with painful clarity when Anakin announced at nine years old that he was going to marry her and the rather turbulent and awkward conversation that had followed. Now, he didn't know where he stood on the matter; he could scarcely lecture him on emotions and relationships, especially when he was so young. It was impossible for a youngling to keep feelings in check. Obi-Wan had always suspected something between them, but there was never any proof to validate his concerns. It was why he wanted to talk to him first before she came.

"Yes, she is," he said, rubbing the suds into his padawan's hair, "but... Anakin, she's going to be very shocked to see you like this. So, you can't take it personally if she doesn't seem happy to see you," he hadn't needed to give such a serious talk before meeting the clones (there were rather different emotions and relationships at play there) and he simply hadn't had the chance to before the boy met Palpatine and Bail.

"Surprise her?" Anakin asked, squeezing his eyes shut as Obi-Wan poured the water over his head.

"Yes," Obi-Wan affirmed, rinsing the boy's hair, "so, don't be offended if she doesn't seem happy, all right?"

Anakin nodded, smiling up at the Jedi, "All right," he whined miserably as he saw Obi-Wan pull the plug, "Master!"

"Anakin, I doubt you'll want to meet her whilst you're in the bath, will you?" the Jedi said, rolling his eyes at his padawan's whinging. He grabbed the towel, lifting the boy up with it and wrapping it round him.

"No," Anakin replied sulkily, "I like baths."

"As I am fully aware, Anakin," Obi-Wan replied, smiling, "but just because you like something does not mean that you can live in it." He dried the youngling off and gave him his clothes, which he had to help put on seeing as the boy was putting everything on back to front.

"'m getting better," Anakin insisted as Obi-Wan pulled down his tunic.

"Yes, you are," Obi-Wan murmured, smiling.

"And I read the note!" Anakin declared proudly.

Obi-Wan chuckled, "Yes, padawan. I have to say, you did very well."

Anakin smiled triumphantly and nodded, "When's Padme coming?"

"Soon," Obi-Wan said, rising to his feet. He passed Markyle to him and lead the boy out of the bathroom.

"You told her?"

Obi-Wan sighed, "No. Your situation isn't really something that can be put into words, little one. She will simply have to see for herself."

...

It felt strange to be in Coruscant without Anakin. Of course, her husband wasn't the sole reason for Padme's visits, but most of her free time was spent with him. He would always be there to greet her when she got off her flight, so it was odd that he didn't do so this time, or that he hadn't contacted her at all. It just wasn't what Ani did, especially since he had been missing for so long. She had only found out that he was back through Bail; of course, she didn't expected to be told through any official line of communication, seeing as her privilges as his wife weren't known, but she would have thought Obi-Wan would have told her Anakin was all right. He knew of their friendship if nothing else.

Padme knew that something wasn't right. Someone should have told her something by now, whether it be Obi-Wan, Anakin or even the holonet. She was more concerned than angry at his lack of contact. She just wanted to know if Anakin was all right. But she was going to be seeing him now and there would doubtless be some explanation for her husband's silence.

The first thing she spotted about Obi-Wan was that he looked tired. There were dark smudges under his eyes and there was a tenseness in him that made him seem all the more weary. Was it possible that he had aged since the last time they'd met? Still, he greeted her with a smile, which was pleasantly genuine.

"Obi-Wan," he felt his arms wrap round her as she pulled him into an embrace, "how are you? You look tired."

The smile was still playing on his lips as they pulled apart, "Yes. I didn't get much sleep last night, but I'm fine," he gestured for her to come in, "and how are you?"

"Oh, I'm fine," Padme answered, a little distractedly as they walked into the apartment. She didn't see Anakin anywhere, nor did she hear him. Was he in the med-centre? This situation seemed to be getting stranger all the time, "How's Anakin?"

There was a perceptible pause, Obi-Wan glancing away only for a second before meeting her gaze again, "Ah yes. Anakin's fine. He isn't injured, if that's what you're worried about," It was difficult not to show the surge of overwhelming relief Padme felt on hearing those words. All she showed was a smile, but all she wanted to do was sink down in a chair and take a moment to fully relieve herself of all the stress she had felt these past two days, "but... Padme. Anakin has changed. And it is going to be a shock when you see him."

Padme didn't speak. The relief rushed out of her as quickly as it had come, leaving nothing but confusion and worry in its wake, emotions she had been far more used to since arriving here. Obi-Wan gave her a reassuring smile, tinged with sympathy, before calling, "Anakin."

She heard the pit-patter of small feet and she turned round slowly. She knew it was him the moment she saw him. Those brilliant blue eyes where what she had always noticed first when looked at Ani. Only somehow they now belonged to those of a small child. He was so small. He looked up at her, tiny (oh, how were they so little?) hands wringing the bottom of his tunic, "Hi Padme."

It was all Padme could do to stop herself sinking to her knees. She stared at him for a moment longer, before taking a step closer to him, "Ani?"

The youngling smiled and nodded, "Mhm."

"You're... My Ani?"

"Uh-huh."

She took a step back, her eyes still fixed on this impossible little boy, "You're... But..." she took a breath, but it didn't calm her down. It didn't transform the three year old before her into the adult that he should be, "you're my husband?"

"What?" her head turned sharply to Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan. Padme had genuinely forgotten he was there.

"Oh no."

She watched the Jedi's gaze snap towards his padawan, his eyes were now very, very round.

"Anakin," Padme could feel beneath the forced calm, the almost dangerous quietness of his voice the intense emotion that burned underneath, "is there something you failed to tell me?" Anakin shook his head frantically, taking a step back with every one that Obi-Wan made. The Jedi swooped down, catching the small boy before he ran for it, "Padawan, please tell me Padme is mistaken when she calls you her husband."

Anakin shook his head, pulling at the hand holding his arm, "Nu-uh! Can't!"

"Why not?" Obi-Wan's hand still remained on the boy's arm no matter how hard he pulled.

"Cos you don't like me lying!"

"Padawan-"

"All right," both of them stopped. Padme crouched down, taking both of their arms in her hands, "We are going to sit down and talk about this. All of us," she cut in firmly as Obi-Wan opened his mouth to speak. The woman rose to her feet, bringing up both Master and Padawan with her, their arms still clasped in her grip, "we are both going to get the answers we need."

...

Obi-Wan sat across from Padme and Anakin, his arms resting on his knees. He looked shell shocked, though with the bomb shell of news he received, he could hardly be blamed for his less than dignified countenance. Anakin was married. He should have known. Force, he always knew that he liked her and his padawan was so terrible at hiding his emotions. Still, he didn't think that a crush would evolve into this, a marriage between the two of them.

The Jedi sat, staring at them both; Padme was staring at Anakin and Anakin was doing his best to avoid everyone's gazes. Padme continued to look at him for a moment longer, before turning to Obi-Wan.

"What happened? How did Anakin get like this?"

Obi-Wan stared at his padawan, before looking at Padme, "We don't know how, exactly. A Sith changed him like this. There was some sort of science involved, but we are yet to find out what exactly that was."

Padme glanced back at Anakin, who was still resolutely looking at his feet.

"Is it reversable?"

He sighed, shaking his head, "We don't know yet. We're still yet to find the Sith that did it," he scrubbed a hand across his face. Force, he felt so old, impossibly old. Perhaps all of Anakin's missing years had somehow been added onto his own, "Now. I think I deserve some answers."

Padme nodded, looking slightly defeated as she leant forward on her knees, "We're married."

Obi-Wan closed his eyes, his shoulders sinking, "For how long?"

There was a pause, "Two years."

"Two years," he looked up, his eyes wide, "two years?" he turned to Anakin, "you've been lying to me for two years?"

"Couldn't say!" Anakin protested, scowling, "you'd tell the council," a little sadness crept in to his voice, but the defiance, that stubbornness that was so undeniably Anakin still burned stronger.

"Why do it in the first place?!"

"Because we fell in love, Obi-Wan," Padme sighed, "we didn't do it to deceive you, or the rest of our loved ones. Both of our careers could and would be ruined by this. We did it because we fell in love."

"Then you should have listened to your hearts and not your heads," Obi-Wan snapped, his voice uncharacteristically harsh.

"You love me!" Anakin shouted, glaring.

Obi-Wan paused, "That isn't the same thing, Anakin."

"No, it isn't. Your love is easier to hide," Padme's eyes shone, but her voice was brittle, "ours isn't."

"Love is easier kept secret than a marriage," he muttered, "Force, what were you two thinking?!"

"Don't get it!" Anakin shouted, his eyes blazing, "you're not in love!"

"You're supposed to be training to be a Jedi, Anakin. Jedi do not fall in love."

"Jedi don't love padawans either!" Anakin cried, "you love me!"

"That's different," Obi-Wan snapped, "I brought you up!"

"So?!" Anakin cried, "you can love, but I can't?!"

"I didn't lie to you about it!"

"Never said!" Anakin roared, "never told me you loved me, never! Didn't lie, but didn't tell the truth!"

Obi-Wan didn't realise he was standing up until he felt the urge to sit down. He sunk into his chair, his breathing heavy. Anakin did the same, toppling back onto the sofa which he had stood on. Neither of them spoke for a few minutes, neither of them looking at each other.

"So, Anakin. What else have you lied to me about? I'm curious to know," The Jedi felt a pinch of guilt at seeing the boy wince at the biting tone, but he didn't let it show, "What else have you done?"

Anakin didn't speak. He looked down at his small feet, his hands wringing the bottom of his tunic. He looked up at Padme and Obi-Wan saw some sort of silent exchange between the two of them, saw her eyes widen and her head shake. The boy slumped back against the sofa and puffed out a sigh, "Can't though," he murmured, "Can't lie any more."

Padme looked defeated. She closed her eyes, drawing a hand across her face and Obi-Wan knew why; because there was no point in arguing with Anakin when his mind was made up. Unless you could physically stop him, which she couldn't, you might as well give up.

Anakin gulped, looking anywhere but his master, "Was after Mom died," he grabbed hold of Padme's hand, "I... I was angry and sad. And..." he looked down at his knees, "I killed everyone."

There was silence. Obi-Wan stared at him, unable to move. Out of all the words he had expected to come out of that youngling's mouth, those were not the ones he had anticipated. He stared at Anakin, absently wondering whether his heart was still working because it felt like it had stopped.

"What?"

"I killed them," the voice was so small, so timid, Obi-Wan had half a mind to disregard the words that it carried, but he knew their truth and it weighed down on him, a weight he'd never had to bear before. His padawan. His child was a killer? He'd committed genocide? The Jedi wanted so badly to not believe it, to disregard all of the words that had come out of his mouth, but he couldn't. He decided he couldn't look at him any longer; he looked so innocent for one who had done so much. He didn't want to say what he felt; Anakin was still three years old and he didn't want to start screaming at a child. He needed to get out, needed to think, the room suddenly becoming so much more stuffy and small than it had ever been before.

Obi-Wan rose to his feet making his way to the door before Anakin rushed in front of him, "Going?"

"Get out of my way, Anakin."

"No!" the boy cried, tears pooling in his eyes, "T-talk!"

"What else is there to say?" Obi-Wan shook his head, fighting back his own emotions that threatened to rise up in him, "I don't know you, do I?"

"Course you do!" Anakin cried desperately, a few tears spilling onto his cheeks, "'m your padawan!"

"Are you? Would my padawan do this? Go against my teachings? Commit genocide?!" It hurt to watch the boy, hurt to even look at him. He could see the guilt and pain in him, see all of those turbulent emotions he should have got rid of years ago and he wanted, more than anything, he wanted to make them go away, to make Anakin better because that was his job. But he couldn't. Not this time.

"You killed, Anakin. You killed innocent people! The boy I know would never do that! He would never commit such a heinous crime, no matter what had happened!" Obi-Wan didn't realise he was shouting until he stopped. Anakin was practically cowering. He was scared. He was scaring his youngling and it was killing him, "you're not the boy I raised. I don't know who you are any more."

Obi-Wan could see it, he could feel the child's heart breaking into pieces. He looked so utterly lost. There was a voice in his head screaming that of course he knew who he was, that he still loved Anakin, that he would always be his padawan. But he didn't listen. He ignored the tears on his youngling's cheeks as he walked past him and left.

Anakin stood there for a moment, hands gripping his tunic, his breathing very shallow. He didn't move, a few tears dripping of his chin as he stared into nothingness. Then, his face broke. He let out a wail, an awful, pained howl and his legs crumpled beneath him. He sat there whilst loud, guttural sobs rattled his frame.

Padme watched for only a second, before rising to her feet. She knelt down beside him and pulled him into her arms, letting him bury his face against her shoulder whilst she held him tight. She didn't speak, she didn't want to give him false comfort or hope because she had never seen Obi-Wan like that, especially not with Anakin. She wanted to say, more than anything, that he would come back, but how could she, when she honestly didn't know whether he would or not?

...

The apartment was quiet, almost eerily so. The only sound was the hum of traffic outside and Anakin's snuffles, faint and distant from his bedroom. Obi-Wan wasn't used to it being so silent, the silence seeming all the more heavier from how loud they had been a few hours previous. Neither him nor Padme were looking at each other, neither of them broaching a conversation. They stood in the kitchen, both looking somewhere else other than each other.

"How long have you known?" Padme looked up. The soft snuffles of his sleeping padawan were accompanied by a gentle scratching sound as Obi-Wan stroked his beard. The anger was gone from his countenance, but what took its place, Padme couldn't say. Jedi were good at hiding their emotions to the extent where it was unnerving. She had always been thankful Anakin did not share such powers of concealment.

"As soon as he brought back his mother, he told me," she sighed, "if I thought it would have done good, Obi-Wan, I would have made him tell you. But we were both scared you would tell the Council," she pulled a chair out and sat down, resting her head in her hands, "it wouldn't have done anyone good if Anakin left the Jedi Order. That's why we thought it would be best kept a secret."

Obi-Wan nodded slowly, before taking up a chair of his own, "I..." his shoulders sunk and he hung his head, "I don't know what to do."

There was a vulnerability in his voice that Padme was so unused to. She only seen such cracks spire across his mask of calm when they were at Qui-Gon Jinn's funeral. Master Kenobi had always been so strong, but of course he had to be. He was the one who had to bring up Anakin, but how he had managed it, she didn't know. He had lost everything and was somehow expected to raise a boy he hardly knew. When was the last time he could afford to be vulnerable?

"What would happen if you brought him in to the Council?" Padme asked gently.

"Most likely he would be expelled from the Order," he answered wearily.

"And who would benefit from the Chosen One's expulsion."

"No one," the Jedi sighed, "But... he has to pay for his crimes, Padme."

She nodded, "All right, I agree. But... not right now. He's only a child. It wouldn't be fair. I'm not saying that you should forget about it or say that he's forgiven, but I don't think it would do either of you any good to battle this out now. He's... at this moment, he's not the boy who committed those crimes. He isn't my husband. He's a youngling."

Obi-Wan ran a hand through his hair, looking more tired than ever, "It won't be easy."

"No, it won't," Padme agreed, "but I think it will be better to deal with it when he can fully explain himself. But now he can't. You need to let him defend himself when he's in an appropriate state of mind."

Obi-Wan nodded, staying silent for a minute or two, "And what do I say to him now?" he looked up and she saw a kind of desperation in his eyes, "I didn't mean what I said to him," it was almost like he was pleading with her, asking her to believe him as though he needed an affirmation that he was saying was indeed true, "I didn't."

"I know," Padme rested a hand on his arm, "but he doesn't. You need to tell him that."

Obi-Wan closed his eyes, hiding his face in one palm, "The things I said, Padme... They broke his heart."

He felt her small hand squeeze tight, "That doesn't mean it can't be fixed."

They heard a dull thud from the next room. Padme smiled a little, "He's up," Obi-Wan watched as she rose to her feet, "I'll get him and I'll leave you two to talk," she walked round the table, pausing, before wrapping her arms around his broad shoulders, "It will be fine," she murmured, squeezing before pulling away, "it will."

"And if it isn't?"

She smiled, "Either of you can hide away at mine should you need to. Ani's done it enough times when trying to avoid you."

Obi-Wan groaned, "I knew he had a secret hideaway somewhere. I hope you realise that because of you, he must owe me over a hundred meditation sessions by now."

"Sorry," Padme grinned, "I'll have to make sure to lock him out when you need him."

"Please do," Obi-Wan murmured, smiling a little. He watched, as she entered Anakin's room, taking a deep, (and what was supposed to be) calming breath. There was a few minutes of quiet murmurings, accompanied by short silences. Then the door opened. The Jedi stood, stepping out of the kitchen to find Anakin almost immediately in front of him. Both stumbled backwards, both pointedly looking at anywhere other than each other. The awful, heavy silence returned, bearing down on them thicker than ever.

Anakin glanced up only momentarily as his master knelt before him. The man doubted that Anakin would appreciate being talked down to.

"Anakin-" What? Sorry? Sorry didn't seem to be enough this time, on either side. Obi-Wan fell silent again. What was he supposed to say? How could he possibly begin to explain, to make this up to him?

"I never talked to you about Qui-Gon's death, did I?" Anakin looked up, staring at his master almost warily, as though it was some kind of trick. The boy clearly couldn't see where Obi-Wan was going, so he continued, "I mean... I told you what happened, but we never actually talked. We didn't discuss it."

Slowly, not sure whether he wanted an answer, Anakin shook his head.

"I killed that Sith. And everyone was so proud of me. They couldn't believe that a padawan as young as me could take down a creature so powerful... But they didn't know that I wanted that Sith dead. I didn't want justice for my master's death, I wanted to avenge him. That creature had taken the closet thing I had ever had to a parent and I hated him for it," he looked up at the small boy before him, his eyes bright, "I didn't deserve the praise because I didn't kill that Sith as a Jedi. I killed him as an angry, terrified man who'd lost his father."

Obi-Wan cupped Anakin's cheeks in both of his hands, staring deep into his eyes, "I'm not excusing your actions, nor am I ignoring them. But I want you to know that I understand, Anakin. I understand the pain of losing someone you love. It's like the world's come to an end and it doesn't matter who you take your pain out on because they aren't as important as the person you lost. I killed a Sith in rage and anger, but if there had been a hundred of them, if there were innocents standing in my way... I dare say my actions wouldn't differ too much from yours," He took in a shuddering breath, tears burning in his eyes, "I should have told you. When you were having dreams about your mother I should have told you what grief can do to you. I should have talked to you, not at you. I should have acted as something more than your master."

Anakin's small hands were gripping his own larger ones, his round blue eyes shining up at his master, "It hurt," he choked, "it hurt. But..." he pressed his face against man's hand as a tear slid down his face, "c-couldn't say cos... Thought you'd be mad at me.Y-you said... No emotions."

"And I didn't follow that rule, Anakin!" Obi-Wan said bringing their faces impossibly close, "I tried to make you bend to something even your master didn't obey. It was cruel and I'm sorry. I'm sorry for not being the master you needed, I'm sorry for everything that I said."

Anakin shook his head, tears now rolling down his cheeks, "'No... 'm sorry. It... It's all my fault!"

"No, Anakin. I should have been a better master to you. When it comes to us you have nothing to be sorry for."

"Never listened!" Anakin cried, "Was... bossy and stupid and I hurt you!"

"That's what happens when people love each other," Obi-Wan said softly, thumbing away his tears, "All children hurt their parents. But we know they don't mean it. We know that and we forgive them for it. But I hurt you too and I am sorry," he blinked back his own tears, refusing to let them fall, "I didn't mean the things I said. I didn't mean a word, little one."

The tiny hands on Obi-Wan's clung to him tight, his eyes so incredibly intense for one so young, "'m I still your padawan?"

Obi-Wan choked on a sob. Why didn't Qui-Gon ever tell him being a master would be this hard? "Of course you are," he croaked, tears melting away into his beard, "you will always be my padawan, Anakin." The youngling flung his arms around Obi-Wan's neck, the Jedi wrapping his arms around him tight and pulling him up to his chest, "I love you," his voice was muffled as he buried his face against the boy's shoulder, "but I should have said sooner," he squeezed his eyes tight shut.

"'s not your fault," Anakin hiccuped, "you were sad. You lost Qui-Gon. D-didn't know what to do."

"That's no excuse."

"Is so!" Anakin cried, pulling back a little to hit his master's shoulder. His cheeks were tear ridden and his lower lip wobbled dangerously, but Obi-Wan could still see the stubbornness burn there, "wasn't your fault. You had no one."

"I had you."

"Didn't know it," the youngling sniffled, wiping his tear stained cheek in spite of the few already falling, "I forgive you. Wasn't your fault."

Obi-Wan sucked in a shaky breath, "Do you really?"

The boy nodded, "I love you," he said, as though that was explanation enough.

The Jedi smiled a little, "That isn't quite the same thing, padawan. You might feel different when you're older."

Anakin shook his head, sniffling, "Hope not," he looked down at where his own tiny hands were gripping his master's front, "'m sorry I never said."

Obi-Wan shook his head, "I'm sorry I made you feel as though you couldn't tell me. I'm your master. I'm supposed to be the one you come running to, not the one you run away from," he wiped away the remaining tears, pressing a kiss to the boy's forehead.

"What're you gonna do?" Anakin asked, sniffling.

"Right now?" Obi-Wan pulled his legs out from underneath him and sat on the floor, the boy still in his lap, "nothing. Right now, I don't think there's anything to do," he stroked the blonde locks with a gentle hand, "you're only three. You're not old enough to deal with these issues right now."

"Am so!" Anakin declared, "I did them!"

"You were nineteen when you did them, padawan," Obi-Wan murmured, "and now you are three. It would be unfair to do anything in this state."

Anakin thought about it for a moment, "But you still love me?" he asked cautiously, "even if you're still cross?"

Obi-Wan nodded, "I will always love you, Anakin. I dread to think of what it would take to pull my love for you from my heart," he offered the boy a smile, "but so far, nothing has succeeded in doing so."

...

"He sleeps a lot, doesn't he?" Padme spoke, looking at the small boy slumped against Obi-Wan.

"Children tend to do that," Obi-Wan murmured, smiling a little.

Padme returned the smile, watching as the orange Coruscanti sun shone on them, turning Anakin's locks golden and Obi-Wan's a warm amber. Her own gleamed like dark water, "I still can't quite believe it's him."

Obi-Wan nodded, "It's surprising how little I think on how he's changed. I suppose I just went along with it."

"You had to," Padme smiled, "he wasn't going to stop just because you were shocked."

Obi-Wan nodded. They sat in a comfortable silence for a time, watching the sunk slowly sink, setting the glittering spires ablaze with it's rays, "What is like? Being married to him?"

Padme didn't answer for a moment, "Hard. Hard hiding it. Hard trying to come up with explanations of why you're so happy one day, but so miserable the next," she glanced down at her hands, "no one else knows. I couldn't even tell my family," Padme sunk against the sofa, "in all honesty, it's a relief to talk to someone about it. You can't talk to your husband about your own marriage."

"And what's Anakin like?" the senator looked up at him, smiling gently at his questions. She didn't blame him for his curiosity- it was a side of his padawan that he never seen before.

"Overprotective. Annoyingly, at times. He knows he can never stop me from doing my job, but I don't think he wants to. I just think he's scared about me getting hurt," she smiled a little, "and he's kind. And flattering, constantly. He's always so happy that he's with me, it's almost like he can't really believe that it's actually happened."

Obi-Wan shook his head, "That sounds like him," he looked down at the slumbering child, "he's reckless, stubborn, angry and at times idiotic. But he's always kind, no one can deny him that."

Padme watched him, tilting her head slightly, "When did you first know that you loved him?"

The man ran a gentle hand through the shining locks, "When he was ten. He stumbled into my room at three in the morning, half dazed and sick with fever," he closed his eyes, "until then, I'd never felt fear like it. It's the fear of someone who is under your total care and protection, someone so helpless that you're the only one who they can depend on," she watched his body stiffen with discomfort, "Anakin slipped into a coma that he didn't come out of for four days. I was sure he was going to die. I didn't leave his side, I refused, despite everyone's best attempts to dissuade me from staying," he looked up at her, "it was when he woke up that I realised. It was then I knew that if I lost him, it would break me, that I would do anything in my power to make sure he was all right," Obi-Wan smiled slightly, "when he came to, Anakin thought he was dreaming because he'd never seen me cry before. I hadn't cried since I lost Qui-Gon, but I did then."

Padme stayed silent, both of their gazes now fixed on the slumbering youngling, "I remember Qui-Gon," she murmured, smiling fondly, "I remember I'd watch you two whenever I had the chance because I found both you so fascinating. I'd never seen Jedi before," she looked up at Obi-Wan, "I don't suppose you ever knew, because he'd always do it when you were looking away. But... there were times when Qui-Gon would look at you the way you look at Anakin," the man didn't move for a moment, his eyes staring, before slowly looking up. His eyes were bright, almost shimmering, before his eyes moved back to his youngling.

"Really?" he whispered, voice hoarse.

She smiled and nodded, "Really," she pointedly looked away, giving him time to wipe his cheeks, to gain a little of his precious composure. When Padme turned back, she was rewarded with a grateful smile. She grinned a little and shook her head, "You Jedi. You know, this order may create some of the galaxy's greatest warriors, but you also bring out some of the most emotionally stunted people I have ever met."

Obi-Wan laughed, so loudly Anakin woke, giving him a sleepy scowl before dropping back asleep, "Perhaps you should tell the council. I'm sure they'd be more than happy to hear such an opinionated view."

"I doubt that they would listen to me, but thank you," she chortled. She glanced at her watch and sighed, "I should go. I have to meet with some members of the senate," Padme rose to her feet, smiling at the small boy curled up by his master, "give him my love from me?"

Obi-Wan nodded, "I will," carefully, so as not to wake up Anakin, he rose to his feet, pulling her into an embrace, "take care, Padme. And thank you."

"That's all right, Obi-Wan," Padme glanced at Anakin, "I don't need to tell you to look after him. But... Just do me one favour," she rested a hand on his shoulder, "try looking after yourself too."