Raising a brow at the startled looking woman, Obi-Wan wondered if Padme really thought that she’d be talking to Anakin this soon now that the blond had finally returned home.

The travel had taken a long while and time zones were an actual thing.

The poor boy, the boy Obi-Wan had trained, was currently curled up in a pile of troopers, Rex and the other 501st basically sucking him into their midst and settling down while Boil and Waxer took care of Leia and Luke’s needs.

Poor Anakin had looked exhausted, his very being screaming exhaustion into the Force and Obi-Wan’s heart had just crumbled.

So, in a move of mercy, he had swiped Anakin’s comm link during a hug and kept it on himself on impulse.

Or maybe a Force guided prod since not even half an hour after Anakin had fallen asleep, his comm had started vibrating on Obi-Wan’s belt, Obi-Wan having turned it to silence when he knew Anakin wasn’t watching him.

“Hello Senator Amidala.” He finally greeted, his brow still raised as he settled into his chair, Cody right behind it as the commander was never far from his side these days.

And if he was right, Helix wasn’t far either.

The entire 212th were paranoid about Obi-Wan’s health due to his lowered immune system and he often had tails around the camp. Not that he genuinely minded, he enjoyed spending his time with his troopers and if he really needed peace and quiet, they would leave.

Cody had left him alone before when Obi-Wan had asked.

He didn’t want to be alone now though, as Padme clearly worked through her shock and straightened. “Master Kenobi, I… I was expecting Anakin, is he there?” She stated, clearly trying to look composed.

But Obi-Wan could see the fists her hands were curling into and the tenseness of her body. Padme Amidala was far from as composed as she was pretending to be and it would be over Obi-Wan’s cold body that he let her talk to his former padawan right now. “He’s resting,” Obi-Wan slipped his right leg over his left knee. “He and the children, the trip home,” He noted with some interest that Padme flinched at the word home. “Was exhausting on all of them.” Obi-Wan cocked his head, closely observing the senator.

“I… see.” Padme was biting at her lips, her image flickering on the comm due to the distance, Vercopa still working on their comm systems.

She was angry.

Obi-Wan might not know Padme as well as Anakin, but he still knew her and part of being able to negotiate was being able to read the body language of people. Padme was angry. “I could take a message for him?” He stated, feeling Cody’s hand coming to rest on his back in a supportive motion.

Through the Force, he could feel his commander pushing positive reinforcement and warmth in his direction.

It was more than enough to have Obi-Wan relax, feeling confidant in covering for Anakin to have Cody there and at his back.

Cody always had his back and Obi-Wan felt that if it came between Anakin or Cody… he wasn’t sure which one he would choose.

Finally she seemed to shake herself, straightening with a harsh nod. “Yes, please give him a message that I need to speak to him at earliest opportunity.” Padme stated, tucking her hands into her sleeves.

Obi-Wan hummed, inclining his head. “Our schedules are a bit different than Coruscant, it might take some time but I’ll give him your message,” He stated quietly, inclining his head when Padme ended the call. The moment it was over, Cody’s hand slowly slid onto Obi-Wan’s shoulder, holding on tightly. “…We delay for as long as possible, if Anakin ask about his comm… tell him we’re looking for it.” He murmured, tightening his hand until the comm popped in his grip.

He could feel Cody’s surprise at the destruction of the comm before the other squeezed his shoulder. “Of course Obi-Wan.” He stated quietly, understanding.

The vode would always understand protecting ones brother, even the stupid ones.