Quick explanatory note: I couldn't help but notice that in the Clone Wars episode "Crisis on Naboo," Anakin seemed furious with 'whoever had done this' - until he found out that Obi-wan was the one who had decided to keep him in the dark. I read his reaction as confusion. He wants to be mad at someone - but can't bring himself to blame his best friend.

Recovery

Anakin never thought he could dislike the Jedi Council more than he already did.

He was proved wrong when he entered the med quarters and saw Obi-wan, his old master, lying there, motionless upon a medical bunk. His face was back to itself, but was strangely young without the beard Anakin had become accustomed to seeing. He looked as he had that day Anakin had first met him. And he looked far too vulnerable for a Jedi Master. Especially his Jedi Master.

But Obi-wan was stronger than he looked.

Anakin jerked out of his thoughts as he felt Obi-wan stir through their bond. Instantly he was at his master's side as Obi-wan groaned, then opened blurry blue-gray eyes to focus on Anakin. "Ana – kin. What are you doing here?"

Anakin nearly winced as he read the hastily veiled pain behind Obi-wan's words, but hid it behind an exasperated smirk. "Well, you didn't think I'd leave it up to the healers this time, did you?"

Obi-wan smiled wryly. "I suppose you have a point." He sat up with Anakin's help and stroked a hand along his beardless jaw, pulling his hand away a moment later to frown at it as if the absence were its fault.

Anakin couldn't help quipping, "Problem, Master?"

Obi-wan threw him an exasperated look. "Besides the fact I've essentially 'died' twice in the last few days, not really." Even as he spoke his hand wandered back to his jawline again. "Where's your padawan? I would have thought she'd be with you."

"Ahsoka is saying goodbye to Pa – Senator Amidala," he amended hastily. "She thought it was safest to go back to Coruscant as soon as possible, given the attempted kidnapping of Chancellor Palpatine."

"So they're both on their way back?"

Anakin nodded. Even as he did so, however, he couldn't help but examine his master critically. Though he looked fine at the moment, that wasn't necessarily a good indicator. And he couldn't help remembering the agony in that disguised voice when Obi-wan had told him not to follow.

That Council had better come up with a good reason for this.

Obi-wan once more jerked him from his thoughts by enquiring, "I'm assuming that we're being transferred back to Coruscant as well?"

Anakin nodded again, standing up at the same moment as his master. "As soon as you're ready to travel, Master."

"I'm ready now." Obi-wan started toward the door, leaving Anakin to catch up with him. As they strode out of the room, Anakin shot a smirk toward where Obi-wan was stroking his chin again. It caught his master's attention. "What is it, Anakin?"

"You seem to have lost something…"

"Anakin…"

"What?" he asked innocently. Inwardly he was grinning.

"Don't. Just don't."

Normally Obi-wan would have thrown in a quip or two at his own expense, but he simply continued down the hall. Anakin frowned darkly.

The Council had a lot of explaining to do.