Disclaimer: All characters belong to George Lucas.

Notes: Next 'scene' in this seris of AU scenes from AOTC, and yes, they are Obi-Wan/Anakin oriented. I can't help it, the slash muse is out in force. You'll never see these scenes the same again, or so I'm told! <EG>

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"You look tired."

Anakin sighed as his master's words echoed through the night air to where he stood on the balcony. He couldn't deny he was tired, both mentally and emotionally, and especially not in front of the man who knew him better than most.

"I don't sleep well anymore," he replied quietly, seeing the understanding appear in the elder Jedi's eyes. He couldn't help the immediate lurch of his heart at the soft look, the feeling of need that swept over him whenever Obi-Wan offered him that look.

"Because of your mother?"

Anakin sighed and simply nodded, turning to gaze out over the busy lights of a Coruscant night. His nightmares were growing worse, a cloying, frightening cloud of darkness and pain, pain he knew his mother was suffering. He tried to explain his feelings to his master, but was unable to put his worries and fears into words. The feelings were suffocating, swamping him like a tidal wave as he grabbed onto the balcony railing to steady himself. He was so lost in his turmoil that he gasped in surprise to feel a strong pair of arms wrap around his waist as his master came up behind him.

"Dreams pass in time Anakin, but that does not mean one cannot do something to ease the fear and worry at present," Obi-Wan whispered against his apprentices ear, his breath blowing lightly across the sensitive lobe.

Anakin shuddered and sighed, leaning back against his master, letting the familiar feel of his strong body give what comfort it could. He closed his eyes, allowing his body to relax, feeling the calming Force presence his master always seemed to exude.

"You are also worried about protecting the Senator, are you not my young apprentice? Seeing her again has brought up feelings you are uncertain about," Obi-Wan offered softly, his hands beginning to stroke his apprentice's hips lightly through his tunics.

Anakin felt a surge of lust as he felt Obi-Wan's gentle massage, but forced it down long enough to provide some form of answer.

"She has grown more lovely, and my heart leapt to see her again, but I fear she did not feel the same," he offered quietly, realizing that saying the words made him feel a bit better. His master's sigh ticked the hairs at the nape of his neck and sent a shudder down his spine.

"She has at that Anakin, but you must remember your duty, your sworn commitment to the Jedi Order. Be mindful of your feelings," came the even reply, accompanied by the lightest brush of a kiss across his nape.

Anakin couldn't hold back the low moan at the sensation of the warm lips on his skin, the familiar sensation a welcome one after several days of absence. He felt himself harden as Obi-Wan repeated the caress, his hands slipping under the leather over-tunic to stroke along the planes of his chest through the soft cloth of the under-shirt. He moaned low in his throat as Obi-Wan nipped at the back of his neck, causing his hips to arch forward in an unconscious gesture. His master's soft laughter only served to inflame him even more.

He tried to turn, determined to be allowed the same freedom, only to find Obi-Wan holding him in such a grip he could do no more than turn his head.

"Master," he began, only to find his lips caught in a deep kiss. He groaned and opened his mouth, allowing Obi-Wan's tongue to tangle with his, enjoying the fierce way his master claimed his mouth. Forgetting everything and everyone around him, he gave into the sensation, reaching up to twist his arms back and around Obi-Wan's neck, deepening the kiss and allowing him some measure of control.

He heard Obi-Wan groan as he arched backwards, feeling the hardness pressing against him from behind. Rubbing back and forth, he felt his master's desire grow even harder as Obi-Wan's hands moved to his waist and with some quick maneuvering, had his trousers loosened enough to slip one hand inside. He cried out softly as Obi-Wan began to caress him, enjoying the way his master seemed to know exactly what he needed. Long slow strokes, alternating with quick hard tugs, both guaranteed to send him over the edge quickly.

"Master, please, you," was all he managed to moan before Obi-Wan stopped him with another deep kiss. When they finally parted for air, both were breathing hard, Obi-Wan's strokes slowly increasing in strength and pace.

"Let me take away the pain of those dreams, you fears over how Padme makes you feel my young apprentice. Feel this, feel me," he husked in a whisper as he pressed his desire against the small of Anakin's back as he delivered one final, long stroke.

Anakin bit down hard to stifle his cry as he felt himself go, the feel of the warm, stickiness of his release evident against his master's hands where they soothed and calmed his now appeased desire. Panting, he finally managed to regain enough presence to collapse to the ground, Obi-Wan following him, his arms wrapped tightly around the younger Jedi's waist. When he finally felt he could speak, he turned his head to Obi-Wan, but did not leave the comfort of the arms cocooning him.

"Thank you Master," was all he could reply, knowing Obi-Wan would understand what he could not put in words. The smile and gentle kiss Obi-Wan gave him in reply conveyed that the message was heard and understood.

"You are welcome Anakin," Obi-Wan replied with a smile, marveling at how clear and untroubled his young apprentice's eyes now were. It was a welcome relief from the darkness that he sensed so often about the young man. And he had a feeling he had better enjoy the moment while he could, sensing that things were about to change.

He felt a stab of pain at knowing that it was foreordained in some way, that Padme and Anakin would form a bond, a bond possibly stronger than even the one the two of them shared. It hurt, knowing that the boy he'd once hated, but now loved deeply, would soon turn to her instead of him for council, for guidance and one day, for love.

But for the moment, he would revel in what time they had left, would do all he could to make sure Anakin's dreams were filled with nothing but pleasant, passionate images.

For all too soon it would all change.

"Come my young apprentice, we should not want to be discovered this way," he finally murmured with regret, unable to hide a small smile as he felt Anakin's reluctance to leave the comfortable, familiar position.

"I would stay like this forever Master, if the Force would allow it," Anakin murmured softly, feeling more content than he had in a long time. Sighing, he rose to his feet, straightening his tunics as Obi-Wan did the same.

"Now, let us check the cameras."

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End

More thoughts? Anyone? Feedback is craved!

Sara