I Never Knew

The sweetness of lying in each other’s arms was rudely interrupted by the loud shriek of Anakin’s comlink. The two men looked first to each other, then to the clock by the bed. With a groan, Anakin realized he was late for a meeting with the Council. He reluctantly peeled himself off of Obi-Wan and fetched his comlink from the forgotten pile of clothes on the floor. Obi-Wan protested at first but was soon preoccupied with the view being presented to him.

'He really does make a pretty picture, doesn't he?' he thought to himself as he eyed the strong, young body from his vantage point on the bed.

Anakin tossed the comlink on the mattress and started to look for his clothes. He stopped for a moment when he felt Obi-Wan’s eyes upon him.

"Enjoying the show?" he asked, suddenly aware that he was still indeed naked. It's not that he was shy. No, Anakin was definitely not a shy man. It was just that he was suddenly aware of Obi-Wan's eyes upon him. He rather liked it.

"Well, actually I am. It is quite the show after all." Said Obi-Wan as he propped himself up for a better look.

"Master Windu sounded very angry with me…, said something about me not learning enough from my training with you. No, Obi-Wan would never be so irresponsible as to keep the Council waiting, would he?" Anakin said as he put on his best pout.

"Well, Anakin, they do have a point after all. I am not the one keeping them waiting, now am I?" laughed Obi-Wan.

Anakin sat down on the bed and pushed Obi-Wan onto his back. He leaned over and planted a soft kiss near his navel as he looked up with a deliciously wicked grin.

"Do you think I should try to explain the reason for my tardiness? Surely they would understand that I was under your spell and that it was out of my control," said Anakin between soft kisses to Obi-Wan's goose bumped flesh.

Obi-Wan groaned and pushed Anakin away with all the force he could muster.

"No, I suppose you couldn't go and do that...nor should you be doing this....you are getting later by the minute." Obi-Wan said in his best Master voice. His body begged for Anakin to stay, but Obi-Wan knew it would not be good to let the Council wait any longer than they had to. After all, they did need their information about Anakin and all his heroic deeds during those last few days of combat.

Anakin finished getting dressed and planted a sloppy kiss on Obi-Wan before he left. Without him, Obi-Wan suddenly felt very alone. Anakin had quite the way of taking up not only a room, but of invading the very soul of a person; particularly Obi-Wan. In his sudden solitude he felt his thoughts come back to Qui-Gon. He was taken aback at the sudden desire to be with his Master. He quickly dressed and headed for the Temple Gardens.

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Anakin somehow managed to make it through his meeting with the Council. He usually loved to discuss his battles with the Council members. It was the only time he ever felt truly appreciated by them all. This time, however, was different. All he wanted to do was to go back to the warmth of Obi-Wan. He tried to keep his thoughts clear while he met with them, but he was constantly distracted by the wonderful images of the last few days. He found he couldn't even look over at Obi-Wan's empty seat without breaking into a silly grin.

Anakin rushed back to their quarters, his mind thick with anticipation and lust. He simply could not wait to devour Obi-Wan. He couldn't help but wonder what would come next. When he finally reached the door he all but tripped over a box. Curious, he picked it up. He was temporarily dismayed when he realized what it was. It was a box full of his belongings with a note attached to it.

'Anakin, I thought it would be best this way. I can't see you right now, or I would have delivered them in person. Besides, I thought you might be busy. Please give the Padawan braid to Obi-Wan. He has made more of a man out of you than I ever could. He deserves it. He deserves you. I wish you both the best. And remember, please, it is best this way, okay? Please. With love, Padme.'

Anakin took out the braid and looked fondly upon it. He remembered the pride he had felt coming from Obi-Wan that day. Perhaps she was right; about everything. This way was best. After all, she deserved to be happy, too. He took the box inside and searched for Obi-Wan.

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Obi-Wan felt Qui-Gon's presence as soon as he entered the Gardens. He knew he would. He felt both overwhelmed and calmed by it.

"Master?" Obi-Wan questioned, though he knew Qui-Gon was indeed there.

"Obi-Wan, I've been expecting you," came the whisper of Qui-Gon's spirit.

"You were expecting me? Of course, you always knew me better than I knew myself. I'm not even sure why I’m here." Obi-Wan said quietly.

"You've come to say goodbye, Obi-Wan…, haven't you? After all, you have never properly done that. You have never let me go." Qui-Gon sounded just like the wise Master he had always been.

"What if I’m afraid to let go? What if I...what if I fail Anakin? Who will help me? These are not things I could go to Masters Yoda or Windu with, they would never allow it. They wouldn't understand. I don't understand, Qui-Gon."

"Obi-Wan, you don't need them to understand. Nobody knows Anakin like you do, and nobody can give him what you can. You will not fail him; it is not in your nature to fail. You are destined to be together. I have always known that, and I believe Anakin has always known that. We have just been waiting for ‘you’ to figure it out."

Obi-Wan could hear the smile in Qui-Gon's voice.

"But will I still be able to....well, will you be gone?" Obi-Wan asked sadly.

"I will never be gone from your heart, Obi-Wan, you must know that. You will feel my guidance all along the path of your journey. You must be the wise one now. You will soon need it. I believe that Anakin will need you more than ever in the months to come. You are on the way to fulfilling your destiny, Obi-Wan. We will meet again, my forever Padawan, when it is your time. That time is not now; now is the time for you and Anakin. Goodbye old friend."

And with that Qui-Gon's presence left. Obi-Wan thought he would feel sad, perhaps afraid, instead he felt renewed and strangely aware of Anakin's need for him to be strong. Qui-Gon's word echoed in his ears. He wasn’t sure what was coming, but he instinctively knew that Anakin would need him.

Now, more than ever.