Bab 9: The Chosen's Growth
Dawn light streamed through the training hall windows as Anakin moved through the advanced kata. His cybernetic hand had finally achieved perfect synchronization with the natural flow of his movements, no longer fighting against his muscle memory. Obi-Wan circled slowly, noting the improved control in each sequence.
"Again," Obi-Wan instructed. "But this time, channel the Force through your prosthetic. Let it become more than just a replacement."
Anakin nodded, centering himself before beginning the sequence anew. The Force flowed visibly around his mechanical hand, enhancing each strike and parry. Where once there had been hesitation, now there was fluid grace.
"Better." Obi-Wan ignited his own saber. "Now, let's test your adaptation under pressure."
Their blades met in a controlled pattern of strikes. Anakin's new fighting style incorporated his prosthetic's advantages naturally, using its enhanced strength and precision to complement his aggressive technique.
"Your anger no longer drives your movements," Obi-Wan noted between exchanges. "You're finding balance."
"It feels different," Anakin admitted, flowing through a complex defensive sequence. "Like I'm working with the Force instead of just using it."
A chime from Anakin's comm unit interrupted their session. His face softened at the message displayed – clearly from Padmé. Obi-Wan noticed the subtle tension in his former padawan's shoulders, the lingering fear of discovery.
"You should go to her," Obi-Wan said quietly. "The Senate's emergency session ends soon."
Anakin's blade lowered slowly, surprise and uncertainty flickering across his features. "Master?"
"The Force guides us to connections for a reason, Anakin. The trick is understanding the difference between attachment and love." Obi-Wan deactivated his saber. "Perhaps we should discuss this over lunch. The Senate building's executive dining hall has private rooms."
The executive dining hall offered discreet luxury, its private rooms designed for sensitive political discussions. Padmé arrived precisely on schedule, her senatorial robes failing to completely hide her surprise at seeing both Jedi waiting.
"Master Kenobi," she greeted carefully. "This is... unexpected."
"Please, sit." Obi-Wan gestured to the empty chair. "I believe we have matters to discuss that would benefit from privacy."
Anakin's anxiety radiated through the Force as Padmé took her seat. His flesh hand clenched slightly, anticipating judgment or condemnation. Instead, Obi-Wan poured tea for all three of them with casual grace.
"How long have you known?" Padmé asked directly, her political instincts cutting to the heart of the matter.
"Long enough to see that this isn't a simple infatuation." Obi-Wan met her gaze steadily. "But also long enough to understand the challenges you both face."
"The Code—" Anakin began.
"The Code speaks of attachment, of possession." Obi-Wan interrupted gently. "It doesn't account for mature love between equals. The question is whether you can both balance your duties with your feelings."
Padmé straightened, her diplomatic training evident in her measured response. "We've tried to be discrete. The war complicates everything, but we—"
"The war makes this more crucial, not less." Obi-Wan leaned forward slightly. "You both hold positions of immense responsibility. Your choices affect countless lives. That's why you need clarity, not secrecy. Understanding, not shame."
"You're not going to report this to the Council?" Anakin's voice carried equal parts hope and disbelief.
"I'm going to help you navigate it." Obi-Wan sipped his tea. "But that requires complete honesty between us. No more hiding. No more fear."
"Complete honesty," Padmé repeated, sharing a glance with Anakin. "Starting with the fact that we're married."
The word hung in the air between them. Anakin tensed, ready to defend their choice, but Obi-Wan simply nodded.
"I suspected as much. Geonosis changed many things." He set his cup down carefully. "The question now is how to move forward. Both of you carry burdens that would strain any relationship. Add secrecy to that weight..."
"What choice did we have?" Anakin's frustration leaked into his voice. "The Order would never understand."
"The Order's understanding isn't what matters here. Your understanding – of each other, of yourselves – that's what will determine your path."
Padmé leaned forward. "What exactly are you proposing, Master Kenobi?"
"First, that we establish clear boundaries. Times and places where you can be together openly, without fear of discovery. I can help arrange that." Obi-Wan's gaze moved between them. "Second, that you both learn to separate love from attachment. Your duties will often pull you in different directions. You must be able to function independently."
"Like now," Padmé observed. "The Senate calls for more military oversight while the Jedi push for greater autonomy. We're already on opposite sides of crucial votes."
"Exactly. And those conflicts will only increase as the war progresses." Obi-Wan turned to Anakin. "Can you accept that she must sometimes oppose your priorities? That love doesn't mean always agreeing?"
Anakin's flesh hand found Padmé's across the table. "I'm learning to. It's... not easy. But I understand now that trying to control everything just pushes people away."
"That's good," Obi-Wan acknowledged. "But understanding and doing are different things. Which brings me to the third point – you need practical strategies for handling separation, disagreement, and crisis."
"The nightmares don't help," Anakin admitted quietly. Padmé squeezed his hand, clearly familiar with these episodes. "Sometimes I see... terrible things. Possibilities."
"Fear of loss is natural," Obi-Wan replied, memories of his own visions on Tatooine surfacing. "But letting that fear control your actions – that's the path to darkness. You need anchors, both of you."
"What kind of anchors?" Padmé asked.
"Communication protocols, for one. Secure ways to stay in contact during missions. Trusted allies who can help when needed." He paused meaningfully. "Methods for handling political conflicts without compromising either of your positions."
"You've thought this through," Padmé noted, her political instincts catching the deeper implications.
"Because the stakes are higher than just your relationship. Your positions, your influences – they affect the entire Republic. That's why doing this properly matters so much."
Anakin straightened. "You're talking about more than just helping us stay together. You're talking about preparing for something."
"The war changes everything, Anakin. The Republic, the Order, all of us – we're in uncharted territory. Having people you trust, genuine connections..." Obi-Wan let the implication hang.
"Could mean the difference between survival and destruction," Padmé finished.
"Let's be specific," Obi-Wan said, pulling out a small datapad. "First, we establish secure communication channels. Not just between you two, but with people we can trust absolutely. Senator Organa, for instance."
Padmé nodded. "Bail's loyalty to the Republic is unquestionable. And he already suspects about us."
"More than suspects," Anakin added. "He's covered for us twice during diplomatic missions."
"Good. That's the kind of alliance we need." Obi-Wan made several notes. "Next, we need to address your living situation. The current arrangement of stolen moments and secret meetings puts unnecessary strain on you both."
"My apartment has private landing platforms," Padmé offered. "And the security systems—"
"Need upgrading," Obi-Wan interrupted. "I can help with that. Additionally, we'll establish safe houses in different sectors. Places you can meet if the usual locations are compromised."
Anakin leaned forward. "You're talking about contingencies. What aren't you telling us?"
"I'm telling you to be prepared." Obi-Wan met his former padawan's gaze steadily. "The political situation is volatile. The Separatists aren't our only concern. Having fallback positions, escape routes, trusted allies – that's just practical planning."
"There's more," Padmé said quietly. "The Chancellor's emergency powers keep expanding. The democracy we're fighting to protect is eroding from within."
"Exactly. Which is why your positions are so crucial. Padmé, you have influence in the Senate that few others possess. Anakin, your reputation in the Order grows daily. Together, you could be a powerful force for stability – if you learn to balance your relationship with your duties."
"Enough planning for now," Obi-Wan concluded, sensing the weight of too many revelations settling on them. "We should move to the practical matters at hand. Anakin, we have a joint mission briefing in an hour. Padmé, I believe the Military Oversight Committee meets this afternoon."
"A committee that's increasingly concerned about Jedi autonomy in command decisions," Padmé noted, gathering her things. "Though perhaps some of those concerns might be... moderated in today's session."
Anakin squeezed her hand one final time before they parted. The fear that had shadowed him earlier had diminished, replaced by something steadier. Not quite peace, but moving toward it.
The walk back to the Temple gave Obi-Wan time to observe these changes in his former padawan. Anakin's force signature felt clearer, more balanced. Simply acknowledging his relationship openly had lifted a tremendous burden.
"The mission briefing," Anakin said as they approached the Temple steps. "It's about Christophsis, isn't it?"
"Yes. And it will test everything we've discussed today." Obi-Wan paused at the entrance. "Are you ready for that?"
"I think..." Anakin considered carefully. "I think I'm ready to trust you. Really trust you, this time."
"Good." Obi-Wan smiled. "Because what comes next will require nothing less."
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