Come Undone

Chapter 4


Obi-Wan walked back into the sitting room and tried to regain his composure. It had been one thing to entertain his suspicions, making subtle, and perhaps not so subtle, inquiries about the presumed love affair; yet it was quite another to actually find Anakin actually in bed with the woman whom he claimed to love.


Obi-Wan ran his hands over his face and through his hair as the reality of the situation came crashing down on him. The angry look of defiance that Anakin had given him, the cutting remarks… it had been a bluff, he knew, but the words still stung and it seemed as if Anakin was if he were trying to punish his former Master for his failure. Obi-Wan shook his head. If only Anakin could understand that the Master was quite able to castigate himself without the help of his young Padawan… former Padawan… Anakin was after all now a Knight. Yet after a moment’s reflection, Obi-Wan realized that there had sensed more fear than anger from Anakin. Fear of what? Most decidedly not fear of the Council. Anakin already had defied them in ways far worse than engaging in an affair., Still, Amidala’s political career would take a bruising.. ..


"Obi-Wan," came a voice so full of petulance that he almost did not recognized it as Anakin's. Obi-Wan looked up to see Anakin in the doorway, looking down at the floor uncomfortably. "I see you got my message."


To Obi-Wan he gave the impression of having regressed. Moments ago, there had been a youan tan that was so angry and full of fire, he looked as if he could tear the world apart if he had been so inclined. For just a moment, in his place stood a young, obviously frightened, boy. A boy who was regretful, properly subdued and so very vulnerable. Vulnerable, and just possibly, reachable...


"Anakin..." Obi-Wan began, and then his heart sank as saw the mask of anger cloud the young man's features again. "We really should discuss this rationally."
Anakin moved over to the opposite side of the couch like a caged nexu, slowly and deliberately, never taking his eyes off of his former Master once he had raised his head to look at him again.


"Rationally, Master Kenobi?" Anakin replied, the arrogance creeping back into his voice. "What do I know about being rational, isn't that what you're thinking?"


Obi-Wan refused to rise to the bait, "Anakin, why?"
"Why what Obi-Wan? I thought I'd made it perfectly clear ie mee message. I love her..."


"I received your message," Obi-Wan interrupted. "Both of them."


Anakin flushed, but he did not drop his eyes. After a moment of tense silence, Obi-Wan motioned for him to sit down. When Anakin refused, he added, "Please..." and with a soft growl, Anakin obliged as the silence descended on them like a shroud.


"How long has this been going on, Anakin?" Obi-Wan asked finally. "Or dare I ask,what? And please, don't patronize me anymore. If I haven't earned your trust by now, there's no point in me being here at all."


Anakin recoiled as if slapped but said nothing for a moment. He seemed to be trying to find the way, just the right way to start, but seemed to be lost again.


"Was it the Governor’s Ball?" Obi-Wan asked gently, "when it started?"


Anakin slowly nodded, then shook his head. "Long before. When we traveled to Naboo together after the second attempt on Padmé’s life on Couruscant."


"You've been... for three years?" the Master shouted, loosing control himself.


"It's not like that!" Anakin shot back. "It's not what you think!"


"Not what I think?" Obi-Wan snapped. "And what in blazes is that supposed to mean?"


After a moment’s pause, Anakin began again on a different track.


“Perhaps this was a mistake, Obi-Wan,” he said coolly. “Your obligation to… monitor my life, my actions… it ended with my Knighthood, after all.”


Now it was-Wan-Wan’s turn to consider his response.
“Yes, you’re right,” he said slowly. “But do you really think I only see you as an obligation? You are, and have been, my friend as well as my student, Anakin…”


“And…?” Anakin pressed. “Do you think this gives you the right to interfere with my life outside of the Temple?”


“You are a Jedi Anakin. “That does not change when you don civilian cloths, or when you engage in amorous entanglements.”


“You make it sound so tawdry, Obi-Wan.” Anakin said dryly. “As though this were some simple case of a Jedi being… well, in Huttese we would say kee-shaud by a Senator. But that is something the Order has been doing for some time is it not? Getting kee-shaud by the Senate?”


“But it’s not like that, is it, Anakin?” Obi-Wan replied tightly, ignoring the barb. “You said as much yourself.”


Anakin cocked his as as if listening for something, then turned his attention back to Obi-Wan.
"I love her," he said slowly, and through gritted teeth. "She loves me."


"Attachments, Anakin!" Obi-Wan pressed.


“This is not a simple matter of attachments” Anakin hissed. “I love her and…”


“She loves you, yes…” Obi-Wan snapped, interrupting him.


" And… she is my wife." Anakin finished and then looked up defiantly. He abruptly rose and wordlessly walked to the bedroom, leaving Obi-Wan to take in this revelation.


“Wife..." Obi-Wan echoed hollowly, momentarily taken aback. Shock quickly gave way to anger however.


“Anakin!” he shouted. “Blast it man, where are you going?” Obi-Wan cursed under his breath and rose to follow him, but when he reached the bedroom doorway, he found that he could go no further despite the fact that the door was ajar.


Soft voices floated back to him. Anakin’s, was low and soothing, while Padmé’s sounded strained and anxious.


Obi-Wan stood at the doorway and rubbed his temples, trying to regain a sense of composure. He should just walk out right now. Walk away and leave Anakin to it after all. It seemed to be what he wanted.


But it’s not what he needs Padawan… the soft and oh so familiar voice echoed into his consciousness. Wait…


With a heavy sigh of resignation, Obi-Wan went back to the couch and sat down. He would do as (Qui-Gon? His own conscience?) asked, and wait.