Master Apprentice
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Chapter VI: Bringing on the Heartache
Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi had just returned from their trip. They had left only as mere lovers and had returned to Coruscant as partners in life - it still made Anakin tear up and make his head spin. He had to keep looking down at his left hand and the ring on his finger to make sure he wasn't just dreaming. And Obi-Wan would quiet his disbelief with kisses that meant more now than ever. But unfortunately, their time locking arms and mouths in euphoria had to end sometime - the Temple was just as hectic as ever and, they had to meet with the Council fairly soon. It was a time Obi-Wan nor Anakin wanted to come and both wished they could stop it from doing so. After unpacking, they headed to the Council Chamber. For what, however, was unclear to both of them.
"Master Kenobi. Padawan Skywalker. How feel you today?" Yoda asked.
For the first time since he was a kid, Obi-Wan was scared to move out of fear that his commitment ring would attract attention. But, this was Master Yooda - the most revered of all Jedi Masters. Respect was in order. He would just have to suffer the consequences...if any. "Quite well, Master. Refreshed in fact."
Yoda's ears twinged as he moved his head forward. "Hmm...yes, peace I feel within you. Bonded forever you two are, hmm?"
Anakin sensed the color fading from his face and his knees turning to mush. This was it. He nearly swallowed his heart.
Obi-Wan took a step forward, knowing that he could not lie for it was not in the nature of a Jedi to do so. "Yes, my Master. I will accept all consequences."
The tiny green Jedi Master laughed in his throat. "Consequences there will not be, Master Obi-Wan. An acceptance of this we will make. It is the will of the Force and protest we will not."
Obi-Wan thought he would collapse. Anakin looked to be equally stunned. "But the Code..." he stuttered, breathless.
"The Code recognizes the prophecy of the Chosen One and shall abide by it." Mace Windu interjected firmly.
"That he will bring balance?" Obi-Wan asked.
"And, he shall come to conceive a child through the very Force itself. And this has clearly come to fruition. Your Union was destined to happen, Master Kenobi."
"How feel you Padawan - and your child?" Yoda asked suddenly.
"Strong, Master. He has begun to get active. I can feel him."
"The Force, strong in him it is. Continue to nurture him you and Master Obi-Wan must. Healthy he will be. Keep us informed you will. Now, go you two must."
As they made their way back to their room, Obi-Wan was suddenly approached by another Knight. He had just came from a classroom. "Sorry to bother you, Master Kenobi but, something has come up and I must go. Would you be willing to teach my class until I return?"
"I'd be happy to help out. You hurry and be on your way I'll take care of everything."
In a flash, after voicing his thanks to the kind-hearted Master, the Knight was gone. Obi-Wan turned to Anakin and took his hands in his. They kissed and held each other for a moment. "You go ahead and head back, love. You need your rest. I'll be back later and then I'll give you that back rub I promised you."
Anakin claimed his Master's lips once more as the baby kicked. Anakin giggled. Apparently, he wasn't alone in his unhappiness of letting Obi-Wan go. "He doesn't want you to go either. But...I'll be waiting for you. We can go over that lesson on Advanced Lightsaber Tactics you promised to teach meus while you give me that back rub."
Letting go of each other, they went their separate ways, hoping that it wouldn't be that way for long.
There looked to be someone standing next to their room. The arms were crossed, one foot was tapping impatiently as if getting tired. Anakin was puzzled. But, the figure looked oddly familiar to him. No...it couldn't be... "Padme...? What are you doing here?" he asked, standing in front of her with his arms crossed. Anakin scoffed. The bitch hadn't changed since the last time they met and it ended in Anakin's rage exploding. She was still acting as promiscuous as ever. She strode up to him casually and attempted to put her arms around him. "What do you think your trying to do?" he barked. Padme came in closer, Anakin grew madder. He had to stop this. It wasn't good for him or the baby, who had been awakened by either Anakin's voice or Padme's strange vibes. He felt the child kick him as hard as he could in the ribs, making Anakin wince for a moment. How he wanted to ease the child inside of him, and rub his belly. But doing so would ultimately be his downfall. He breathed through it.
"I've been wanting to talk to you Anakin. I came here about a day or so ago, and your room door was locked. Where have you been?"
Was she scolding him? Acting like his mother? He bit down on his lip and eased himself through another torrent of kicking. Be still, little one. Please, be still... he said to his active child, hoping it would be enough to calm his movement. "I've been away with Master Kenobi. It doesn't concern you."
"Excuse me for being concerned about you. Why don't you cut me a break and just open up to me for once?" There was disconcertment in her voice.
Anakin winced again; the child, still active, still trying to tell him something. He hoped she hadn't noticed. "Why bother? You wouldn't understand - Master Obi-Wan brainwashes me, remember?"
As if donning a two-face, Padme's tone of voice changed from harsh and snappy, to slightly frightened and concerned. "What's wrong Anakin? Why do you keep wincing?"
Anakin shook his head, and with it, the oh so tempting urge to calm his child. He was quick to compose himself and lean against the wall, hoping it would help his slowly creeping back ache. "I'm fine... Be still, little one. Easy... Nothing's wrong. I just, had a little tremor, that's all." Tremors? He asked himself, The only tremors your having are in your belly...
"Be calm, still. I'll soothe you soon..."
Anakin looked up and noticed the look of bewilderment written on Padme's face, as clear as day. "Who are you talking to?" she asked, rather perplexed.
The panicky Padawan's eyes darted left and right quickly, his heart quickened. He was a Jedi...Jedi didn't lie. But he would have to, to keep his and Obi-Wan's baby a secret. The gears in his head began to turn wildy, churning up an answer. "Myself...? Yeah, that's it. Talking to myself out loud!" he laughed nervously. Damn it Anakin! Your blowing it!
A smug grin tugged at Padme's lips. "You sounded so...hesitant. I thought Jedi weren't supposed to be...hesitant?"
"Are you calling me a liar?"
Her hand cupped Anakn's cheek. "Oh no; but I'm not convinced. What's going on? You can tell me."
Don't! Remember what Master Obi-Wan said! "No, I can't. Look nothing's -" He suddenly fell silent; another kick to the ribs. More wincing. He tried to keep his mental shields up. "Wrong." he finished.
Anakin, panicky and backing away from the senator, suddenly crashed up against a strong body of some sort. "Anakin? What's wrong?" Strangely familiar. He turned around to find Obi-Wan. He would definitely have to thank his lucky stars later tonight. Obi-Wan grabbed Anakin's arms lightly, being delicate with him, and rubbed at his shoulders. The boy sighed, feeling his Master's soothing waves flow into him and suppressing their child. Padme caught a glimpse of the shiny ring on Obi-Wan's left hand and cocked an eyebrow, curious.
"Obi-Wan, what is that on your finger?" she asked.
The Jedi Master averted his eyes to it. "Just something Anakin made for me recently."
"That's funny, he's never made anything for me yet." she hissed with a hand on her hip.
"Well, maybe if you cooled the attitude down a little and treated him nicely, he'd make you something. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a lesson to teach my Padawan. Good day to you...Padme."
When they were inside, they were quick to embrace one another in the small, main foyer of the common room. Anakin, a nervous wreck, began to sob uncontrollably in Obi-Wan's arms. Tears, brought on by fluctuating hormones and fear. It felt good to cry, to be held by his lover who was always so attentive and compassionate to his needs. "Shhh...it's ok Ani. Everything is all right. Just let it all out, Padawan. Let it all out..." Obi-Wan whispered with his hands rubbing Anakin's back gently. The teen continued to cry there in his arms, unadulterated and unashamed. Wanting him to sit, Obi-Wan led Anakin to the sofa where he could relax.
"I want you to settle down here and tell me what happened Anakin. Just relax." Obi-Wan said, continuing to rub at the upset young man's back gently. Anakin was still crying, the sound of sniffling and heartache filled the room. He tried to calm himself by breathing, but was so upset that he could not latch on to a decent lung full of air. He collapsed in Obi-Wan's arms, tucked his head underneath his Master's chin, and cried against his chest. Obi-Wan had his arms around the teenager now, trying to console him as best he could. Calming words, advice, back rubs, soft kisses, anything. "Anakin..." he whispered. "Look at me Ani. Please?" his hand caressed the back of Anakin's head. Anakin looked upon his Master, with pained and bloodshot eyes.
The hand that had been cradling the back of Anakin's head was now resting against the boy's cheek; thumb wiping away the small rivulet of tears that streamed down his face. "Breathe..." Kenobi instructed calmly. He heard Anakin draw a shaky breath. Obi-Wan instructed him to do so again, this time, Anakin's breath was more controlled and even. The Master told him to do so one more time, as deep as he could, and exhale slowly. He could feel calm now, resonating from Anakin. "Good, Padawan. Now, tell me what happened."
"Padme - I have a feeling she's here for reasons other than we know of...Months ago, she told me she loved me. She even kissed me, thinking I'd just take it. And just a few moments ago, she was trying to hug me and kiss me, but when I told her to stop, she got defensive. Started asking me all these questions - and it wasn't helping that the baby kept moving around, making me flinch. I was almost a dead man until you showed up."
Obi-Wan felt his face harden at Anakin's testimony. "I knew this was a bad fucking idea the moment she got here. I kept feeling that there wasn't something right about her coming here - now it all makes sense."
Anakin swallowed, the muscles in his throat ached from constriction brought on by crying. "What am I going to do Master? I was lucky enough to keep our baby a secret this time around...but pretty soon, it's going to get harder for me to do so. " he said, wearily and pointed to his belly.
"Your very right in that regard, love. But, there's really nothing we can do about that; you grow with the child. The only thing I can think of that would work a little bit is having you fitted for larger tunics - when you come to that point of course."
Anakin rested his head on Obi-Wan's shoulder as he brought their feet up to lie down on the couch. Anakin cuddled there against his Master's chest like a kitten, wanting nothing more than for the nightmare that was Padme Amidala out of sight and out of mind. "It's ironic you know Obi-Wan; we should be keeping this whole thing with us, and the baby, a secret from the Council, not Padme. But it's the other way around." Despite the seriousness of the situation, Anakin let out a small giggle. Obi-Wan did the same. "Yes it is Ani. You took the words right out of my mouth. So..." his fingers traced down Anakin's back seductively. "How about that back rub?"
It's a beautiful night tonight - no surprise there. My Anakin and I are going out this evening. Though we're not sure where and after the debacle earlier this afternoon, I think we could both use a little fresh air. Master Windu - of all people - recommended that I take Anakin somewhere nice, to a nice dinner perhaps, or to the annual Coruscant Symphony Orchestra concert, "Night of a Thousand Stars" that's being held on the other side of the entertainment district at the concert hall. Mace thinks it would be a good cultural learning experience for him.
I can't stop thinking about what happened earlier. The nerve of that woman. But I would have expected no less from her scheming political kind. I keep feeling the darkness around her, growing as the days go by. I must protect Anakin and our son.
Obi-Wan walked into Anakin's room to find him sitting on his bed, tinkering with a broken training remote. A few tools, screws, bolts and other parts were sprawled out around his crossed legs. Obi-Wan masked his presence for a little while. He always loved to watch his apprentice build and fix nearly any mechanical thing that moved. He would literally become one with his tools and his concentration; everything he had was poured into his work. Anakin loved to tinker and build things since he was a child. It was his way of passing the time, and finding moments of peace. Obi-Wan smiled as he watched Anakin's tongue pop out of his mouth; he was truly concentrating. Kenobi cleared his throat a little. "How are you coming, Anakin?" he asked.
Anakin stopped the turning of a wrench. Looked up at his curious Master with those same big, adorable puppy-dog eyes he loved so much. "Well, Master. Just fixing this so I can start using it again. Are you alright?" He resumed the turning of the wrench.
"I'm confident that you will have it working by the end of the night. Oh, yes, I'm fine. I just came in here to ask you if you still want to go out tonight."
Anakin set the wrench down next to him. And the broken remote. "I'd love to - I can always finish this when we get back. Did you have anything in particular in mind?" he was a little slow in standing, having to work his way around the slight bulging of his belly, but soon came to embrace Obi-Wan afterwards.
"Not really, no. Though, Master Windu was kind enough to recommend a couple things - that I take you out to a nice restaurant for dinner or we can go to a concert - it's the annual `Night of a Thousand Stars' performance. He thought that would be a good cultural learning experience for you."
Anakin seemed to be mulling the choices over in his mind. Both seemed to intrigue him...but, he wasn't quite up for sitting through an instrumental performance at the moment. "Dinner would be great." His stomach grumbled - out of hunger - on cue.
Obi-Wan seemed to be pleased with his Padawan's decision; he himself could use a good meal right about now and since the Council had granted both he and his apprentice some liberty from the Temple, he wasn't about to let it go to waste. "Excellent choice, Anakin. Whenever your ready." Anakin's eyes were aglow with enthusiasm. "I'm ready Master."
After their meal, the Master and his Padawan gently walked the bustling city streets, simply talking and sharing a few laughs. Obi- Wan, despite his constant look of seriousness, could tell some of the funniest jokes. He sure had Anakin in stitches at the moment, with each side of him aching from the pain of such strong laughter. They soon made their way to a nice secluded spot in the high-rent Heights District of Coruscant. Politicians and upper-class citizens lived there for the most part. They stopped at a bench - Obi-Wan helped Anakin to sit then sat down himself.
Obi-Wan laced his fingers through Anakin's "How are you doing Ani? Everything all right?" he asked.
Anakin rested his right hand on his tunics to rub at the pregnant bulge beneath. "I'm feeling pretty good, and I think he does too. Sure is active tonight." he marveled, his face aglow.
"Good to know." Obi-Wan replied simply, his lips claiming Anakin's a sweet kiss.
After a few more minutes of sitting - and resting for Anakin - Skywalker and Kenobi made their way back to the Temple.
My curiosity is keeping me awake. And I've recently been filled with a terrible feeling - I sense danger somewhere, elusive, and growing in strength. A disturbance of sorts. Wait, I take that back - I've had this gnawing feeling of skepticism ever since Padme arrived so suddenly. And only after the events of yesterday afternoon did my skepticism set itself in stone. And make me start to seriously second guess this whole Assassination ploy. Perhaps the Council can help me.
Later this morning Anakin and I attend the first class in a six week course in Relaxation and Breathing. Healer Yvonne was kind enough to lend us her services and provide us with private instruction, from the comfort of our room. She really has been lovely to us. Me and Anakin will have to somehow pay her back after the child is born. My love gave fruition to a possible name for our son last night when I was teaching him a short lesson on Advanced Lightsaber Tactics. Erion. That's what he called him, and rather soothingly I might add. I can remember him setting his textbook down next to him and taking his hand to his exposed belly, and me, coming to join him. It didn't take me long to start liking the name Ani had so unconsciously blurted out. Our son finally has an identity.
Morning will be coming soon, and I should try to get some sleep. I don't want to ruin things for Anakin or Yvonne by falling asleep during class - I could never forgive myself. Today, I feel, will be a good day.
Obi-Wan was awakened by the soft sound of Anakin's voice against his ear later that morning. He groaned as his eyes tried to focus and get rid of their sleep-induced blurriness as he sat up next to his eager and energetic Padawan. There was a tray next to the boy, filled with something that smelled just as good as it looked and a glass of juice and some fruit. Obi-Wan scratched at his beard, then gave Anakin a peck on the cheek. "Morning. What's this Anakin?" he asked, pointing to the breakfast tray.
Anakin reached behind him to grab the small bowl of fruit, with a seductive smile on his face. "Breakfast, Obi. You've been so good to me throughout these five months and I just figured it was my turn. Hope you like it." He was close to Obi-Wan now. Casually, he placed the piece of fruit between his teeth and came to steal an equally fresh and sweet kiss from the unsuspecting man before him.
Obi-Wan licked his lips afterwards, tasting both the fruit and Anakin on his lips and in his mouth. Indeed, he did like what Anakin had done for him - the breakfast and that teasing kiss - and calmly urged him to do it again. "I more than like it. I love it. Thank you Ani." Anakin picked up another piece of fruit, but this time around, placed it between his teeth; Obi-Wan cupped Anakin's face with his hands and slowly, languidly, devoured him as if he were starving for nourishment. Long after the fruit had been eaten by both of them, their lips and tongues still filled each other's mouths. Obi-Wan suddenly felt dirty, knowing that there was something other than the sun that had slowly started to rise. Such sweet, aching longing. Obi- Wan wanted Anakin, right here and now; and without having to break his kiss with Anakin, he moved the breakfast tray to a nearby desk and pulled Anakin into his arms where they then fell to the messed bed.
But there was a sudden, gentle knocking on the door outside. Obi- Wan and Anakin stopped kissing and attuned their ears to the sound. "That must be her. Are we ready to learn, my young apprentice?" Obi-Wan asked before sitting up. Anakin smiled, but no doubt felt cheated out of finally having a honeymoon. "Yes, Master." Anakin replied eagerly. Helped to his feet by his Master, Anakin and Obi-Wan followed each other out the door and into the common room.
"Good morning you two. It's a beautiful day today isn't it?" Yvonne had clearly woke on the pleasant side of the bed this morning, and it showed in everything from her voice to her face and eyes.
"Good morning Yvonne. It certainly is - me and my Padawan will have to get out and enjoy it later. Please, take a seat."
Yvonne opted to stand instead, and shook her head with a smile. "Thank you, Obi-Wan but if it's alright with you and Anakin, I'd like to give instruction on this area of the floor here." she drew an imaginary rectangle in the center of the room, but between the sofa and the foyer. "We will have more freedom in movement; and it will help Anakin here to be more comfortable, being in a large area. If you will allow, Master Kenobi, I'd like to take a few minutes to get set up."
Naturally, the Jedi Master came to nod in acknowledgment; then, gave the sweet, forty-ish woman enough space to work with. Both he and Anakin quietly waited while she unfolded a couple of soft concussion mats and removed a strange bottled substance from the little bag that had accompanied her; Obi-Wan quickly headed off to change into his tunics and robes and returned; sitting cross-legged on the floor now, Yvonne gently patted the vacant mat in front of her. Obi-Wan and his expectant lover took their place.
She waited patiently for Obi-Wan, and Anakin especially, to find their own particular comfort zones there on the mat. And while Obi- Wan had found his zone of comfort rather easily, it took Anakin a few tries at tossing and turning, moving his legs, his waist, to finally get comfortable. But it was important to give him as much time as he needed. After a while of experimentation, Anakin finally found his comfort zone to be directly in between his lover, who had took it upon himself to bring his arms around Anakin's waist.
There was a moment of hesitation. Then, "Oh my, I'm so sorry I forgot to mention this beforehand but, Anakin my dear, you might want to take off a few of those tunics your wearing."
Anakin peeled off his over-tunic and dark brown robes and stopped at the last, tan robe. He resumed his position between his Master.
"Okay, now that we're settled, let's begin the session with some light stretching exercises. Anakin, what I'd like you to do first is stretch your arms towards me - breathe deeply while keeping your arms elongated. Master Kenobi, I'd like you to count backwards from 10, at which point Anakin will be able to rest for few seconds before starting again. You may begin Ani."
He leaned forward, with his arms stretched as far as they could go without strain, and felt the muscles stretching with him as he breathed deeply. From the tips of his fingers to the back of his arms, Anakin's muscles grew more fluid in their movement; Obi-Wan served as his timer of sorts, his face close to his cheek and counting backwards. After the ten seconds, Anakin repelled his arms to rest on Obi-Wan's knees and leaned into his chest. Obi-Wan kissed Anakin's ear and patted his belly. "That was perfect." he encouraged; another kiss to his Padawan's earlobe.
Following the successful repeat of the exercise, they moved on to the next one. And Anakin never remembered ever feeling so relaxed and clear-headed in his life. He had quickly came to realize the sheer benefits of this regimentation, and how much closer it seemed to bring him, Obi-Wan, and their son together. An elating feeling, Anakin was eager to do the next exercise.
"This next exercise focuses on freedom in your breathing, Anakin. This breathing exercise focuses on adding greater lung capacity. There are two ways to do this - I will demonstrate them both to you then, I'd like you to try it. Watch closely now." Yvonne proceeded to lay flat on her back, with her arms over her head, and demonstrate the first exercise - filling her lower lungs. Anakin watched closely. Then, Yvonne demonstrated the second exercise - combining the first with breathing from her upper lungs. Anakin watched closely again. Soon, it was his turn.
He laid down and mimicked Yvonne's position, and focused on filling his lower lungs with as much air as he could; he could feel his diaphragm fill as if it were a balloon and Obi-Wan's hand on top of it just to make sure he was doing it properly. Anakin allowed himself to lay there on the floor for the next few minutes, just breathing, feeling his tension all but disappear. But pretty soon, he had taken one deep breath too many and felt lightheaded. "Don't worry Anakin, that's normal for first-timers. Just keep going. Take your time. Your doing wonderful."
After some thirty minutes of extensive, but light, stretching and breathing exercises, Anakin felt as though he could take on the entire student body with both hands tied behind his back. This had been a learning, growing experience for him. One that he thoroughly enjoyed. But it wasn't over yet. "This last exercise focuses on meditative arts - I'm sure your quite familiar with those. This exercise is intended to bring woman - or in this case, man - and child closer together through visualization and deep breathing. The role of one's partner is also very important. Obi-Wan, you will be doing this exercise with Anakin - both of you close your eyes, entwine your hands and place them on the belly. Focus. Let your breathing take you to a comfortable place. Take as much time as you'd like on this; we're not here to rush."
Deep concentration, breathing, and silence. Perfect, uninterrupted silence. Anakin and his lover, all but oblivious to the world around them. While their bodies remained, their souls had drifted from them long ago. Drifted off together, to a place far beyond time and space. Very luminous, and tranquil, this realm beyond time and space. There, they were able to join together and embrace the miracle growing inside of Anakin. But suddenly, a loud, booming clap of thunder shattered their luminous paradise, severed their connection to their child. The world around them had turned dark and ominous.
"Pay no mind to that, Anakin, Obi-Wan; I'll go see who it is. Just continue." Yvonne said softly.
She opened the door. "Hello. Can I help you with something?"
Padme. Dressed in a dangerously tight and white outfit, her hair was up in perfect buns, lips freshly glossed over with lipstick, elegant jewelry adorned her neck and wrists. "I'm looking for Jedi Master Obi- Wan Kenobi and his Padawan, Anakin Skywalker. Are they here perhaps?"
"Yes they are. But, they are in the middle of an exercise right now and I cannot disturb them. Can I take a message?" Yvonne asked kindly.
"I see... Well, can you just tell them they've been ordered to escort me to the planet Ralkesh; it's an emergency."
Yvonne's plump face soured with concern, the wrinkles on her face filled with worry. "An emergency you say? Dear, let me get them for you."
"Obi-Wan, Anakin, there's someone here to see you. She says it's an emergency.
Obi-Wan came to the door and stepped out to greet the senator; Anakin simply popped his head out to peek. "What's wrong Padme?" Kenobi asked.
"Master Windu received word from the Chancellor that Zan has made his way to Coruscant and has begun to scan the planet for my presence. Master Windu told me to come and tell you. But, it's weird, he only asked that you handle it, Obi-Wan What's wrong with Anakin?"
Obi-Wan coughed nervously and crossed his arms. "Well, he has exams coming up and the Council thought it'd be best if he stayed here to study for them; they're very important to his curriculum." Even Obi- Wan himself couldn't help but laugh at himself at the lie.
"Okay."
"What am I supposed to do, Padme?" Obi-Wan questioned.
"You will be taking me to the planet Ralkesh and serve as my protection. The duration of our stay is still unknown. We must hurry Obi-Wan. There isn't much time."
Obi-Wan glanced up at Anakin for a moment and seen the hurt look on his face. "Ok. But I must take care of something first. You go on ahead and wait for me in the hangar - take the turbolift just east of here and you'll be there."
With the distressed senator gone, Obi-Wan closed the door and quickly embraced Anakin in effort to try and heal the hurt in his eyes. He couldn't bear the loneliness, not again, and especially not now. He was pregnant and feeling especially vulnerable. He couldn't possibly go through the pain of not having Obi-Wan around. "Don't go Master, please. Not...not again. I need you. Please...don't go." Anakin said as he clung to his Master warmly. Obi-Wan was quick to brush away the tears on Anakin's cheeks and soothe his tears. Then, passionately kissed him.
"I must, Anakin. I'm obligated to undertake the most important of missions - this is clearly one. I have no choice."
Anakin's blood started to boil; he could feel his face growing red with anger. He felt like he would combust from it. Damned Sith- spawned woman. "So help me, I'm coming with you regardless of what the Council says! I won't let you go alone!"
Obi-Wan clutched Anakin tighter in his arms. "You must stay here, Padawan. You cannot put yourself in such a dangerous position. Forget about us for a moment and think of the baby. Think about he wants. And I probably don't have to tell you that he wants to stay here where it's safe."
Anakin stayed silent for a minute and only looked around the room - at the floor, at Yvonne. Inside, his heart began to shrivel and disintegrate into nothing but dust in the wind of heartache. But he finally told himself to face reality and face the inevitable. He would have to let go. It was different this time around - he was with child, who meant just as much to him as Obi-Wan did. "I'm sorry Obi- Wan. Your right. I'll stay here. You'd...better get going." He choked back the tears.
Obi-Wan hugged and kissed him once more before giving his rounded stomach a gentle rub. "I...don't know how long I'll be gone but hopefully it won't be too long. Remember to send me messages - telling me how your doing, how Erion is doing - just so I know your alright. I'll try to be back soon...Ani."
"I will. I promise. You'd better hurry; she's waiting for you."
With a final kiss good-bye, Obi-Wan reluctantly let go of Anakin and bode him a soft farewell. It was just Yvonne and him now...and the growing hole in his heart. He was literally trembling in pain, shielding his red eyes from the likeable and compassionately sweet woman coming to aid him. Slowly, Anakin's legs turned into puddles of mush as he slid down the back of the door, wracked by tearful convulsions of crying. Yvonne sat down on the floor next to him, embraced him, and gently rocked him from side to side, hoping it would ease his pain.
"Anakin...Ani, I'm so sorry. Don't you worry about a thing. Obi-Wan will be fine, I'm sure of it. I've known him since he was about your age; he's quite the capable one. He's a very stout-hearted, strong man." Yvonne noticed the ring shimmering on Anakin's left hand. "Heavens, that's a beautiful ring Ani. What is it exactly?" she asked. Anything to try and take his mind off the pain. He glanced up at it briefly. Wiped his eyes with the sleeves of his robe. "It's a commitment ring. Obi-Wan has one just like it. We were bonded in the village of Draconia before a Draconian holy man. The ceremony took place atop the Heki, which is Draconian for Hill of Union. We were joined just as the sun had started to set."
Yvonne seemed to be quite touched by the words, the imagery, the sensations. She pictured a very quaint, yet beautiful ceremony, with lots of soft colors painting the sky above, and just the two of them, taking their vows. "That's just lovely Anakin. I imagine that it must have been quite beautiful. Congratulations. Ani, would you like me to stay here for support or would you rather be alone?"
Anakin looked at her with his bloodshot eyes. "I'd...I'd just like to be alone...if that's alright."
Yvonne rubbed his shoulders. "That's quite alright. But just remember Ani, I'm here for you. If you ever need anything - at anytime - please don't hesitate to call me. It'll be perfectly all right. Remember, you have an appointment with me in the morning - but in this case, you can choose to come by the Infirmary whenever you'd like or I can come to you. Will you be all right?"
"Yeah...I'll be fine. And Yvonne...thank you. Thank you for everything."
She patted his shoulder as she stood. "Your welcome Anakin. Remember - call me if you need anything. Just try to hang in there."
Anakin was sluggish in getting to his feet; the door gently closed behind him. He blankly stared out the window at the myriad of buildings and traffic of the city. Here he was, alone again. Pregnant and so goddamned alone. And it was all Padme's fault. Yes, he would blame her for his pain. She had caused it, all of it, from the moment she showed her face around here, she had been out to cause him heartache. And now, after many attempts, it looked as though she had finally succeeded, but was completely oblivious to the fact that she had also caused his baby to suffer. Anakin took a deep breath to try and stabilize himself. Just think of Erion. He said to himself and managed to smile. His eyes looked upon his belly, his hands came to hold it. He closed his eyes and, breathing deep, felt a familiar fluttering in his belly. Smiling, Anakin maneuvered his hand to the epicenter of the movement and lost himself in the calming feeling while gently reciting a familiar, comforting passage:
Connected we are Within life's journey Two hearts Beating as one Two souls divided Marry in perfect harmony From sun to moon Moon to sun Forever connected We shall be...
It was enough to bring slumber to both Anakin and child sometime later.
Go on to next chapter