Anakin hadn't meant to stay out until almost four in the morning. He had meant to be home by his curfew, ten o'clock, but things just weren't going in his favor tonight. He just wanted to enjoy his night and have a little fun, but the bruises he was sporting on his eye and temple had shown that things hadn't gone according to plan. And now he would have to explain everything that had gone wrong to Obi-Wan. And why he had snuck out in the first place.

Great. Just great.

He breathed in and let out a long sigh, trying to steady himself and calm his nerves.

For Kriff's sake! He was sixteen years old, practically an adult, and if he wanted to go out and have a drink...or a couple, well he could, vape it!

He hadn't expected to get in a fight with a smuggler but said smuggler should have watched where it was going.

Anakin scoffed. You would think with all those eyes it could have seen where it was going. It had been lucky to escape with its life, Anakin thought darkly. As he approached Obi-Wan's and his dwelling, his anger dissipated as he remembered the Jedi Code.

There is no emotion, there is peace.

There is no ignorance, there is knowledge.

There is no passion, there is serenity.

There is no chaos, there is harmony.

There is no death, there is the Force.

He couldn't let his anger control him, that was surely a step towards the Dark Side.

But he'd be vaped if he was not proud he'd landed a hit on that creature.

But gloating would have to wait. All too soon, Anakin was standing outside his dwelling. His hand trembled as he reached to turn the knob. But suddenly, he stopped. He could sense his master through their bond on the side of the door. And he didn't seem pleased in the slightest.

Anakin jumped back as the door flung open to reveal a none too pleased Obi-Wan.

Anakin flinched at the intensity of Obi-Wan's voice.

"Padawan! It is nearly four in the morning. What are you doing out at this hour? Have you forgotten what time your curfew is?" Obi-Wan questioned.

Anakin gazed into his master's eyes and could clearly see the displeasure and annoyance present. The color drained from Anakin's face and he tried to swallow but found his mouth to be quite dry.

Anakin stumbled over his words, trying not to choke on them.

"I-uh, well you see master, it's actually kind of a funny story.

Anakin rubbed his hand on the back of his neck sheepishly.

"Well, where were you Padawan? Answer my question."

Anakin quickly dashed his eyes away, shame creeping up into his stomach and causing a hard lump to form in his throat. Was he really going to lie to his master? He looked up again and watched what little patience Obi-Wan had fade away.

Think Anakin, think! Uh, I went to check on Padme and lost track of time...no that won't work. I was meditating. God he was so bad at this, and the way his master was staring him down didn't bode well at all.

"Anakin I'm running out of patience!"

Ah Sith!

"I'm sorry master, I couldn't sleep and took a walk to clear my head. I lost track of time..."

Obi-Wan stared intently at his padawan, before letting out a small puff of displeasure. He grabbed Anakin's arm, yanking him inside their quarters.

Obi-Wan quickly shut the door behind them, still dragging Anakin along before they were in front of a small sofa.

Obi-Wan pushed Anakin down on the sofa by his shoulders and scowled at his padawan. His eyebrows furrowed together, and his lips were set in a thin, straight line.

Obi-Wan leaned down, gently grasping Anakin's chin and tilting it upwards.

"Care to explain, my young padawan, how you acquired those injuries if you just went on a midnight stroll."

"Well you see master, I got into a bit of a scuffle...and I-uh-"

He was briskly cut off by the sharp words of his master.

"Save it Anakin! I could smell the alcohol on you from a mile away."

Anakin pushed his master's hands away and stood up to his full height. Annoyance was beginning to form on his face.

"So, what if I had a couple of drinks? I'm sixteen, not a youngling anymore."

"Anakin, by sneaking out tonight as you did, do you think you displayed maturity befitting of an adult?" Obi-Wan questioned.

Anakin was at a loss for words. He knew he shouldn't have snuck out, and his master had a point…

He let out a long sigh, "No, master, I did not."

Obi-Wan nodded to himself, happy that his padawan was beginning to realize the error of his ways.

"Tell me then, where was it and how was it that you acquired these injuries?"

"I went to the Outlander Club master," He braced himself for the next part. "And I got into a fight with a smuggler."

Obi-Wan pinched the bridge of his nose and let out a long sigh.

"Padawan, you know the Outlander Club is a dangerous place. Any number of things could have happened to you! Not to mention drinking lowers your inhibitions, impairs judgement, affects coordination, and you're underage. How did you manage to get alcohol anyways?

Anakin groaned at the lecture he was receiving from Obi-Wan. Maybe if his master would lower his voice, his head would ache less.

"Master please, I understand what I did was wrong, now would you please be quieter? My head is starting to kill me. I really-." Anakin's words were cut off as the saliva began to form in his mouth and he visibly paled.

Fark, he was going to be sick.

"Anakin, are you alright?"

Anakin pushed past Obi-Wan and ran toward the 'fresher.

The sound of his padawan emptying the contents of his stomach into the toilet made Obi-Wan grimace. His mind briefly wandering to his own teenage escapades and how Qui-Gon had dealt with them.

Qui-Gon had been strict at times, but he was never cruel. He knew that he would have to be strict with Anakin, as the boy had crossed the line tonight. What he did was dangerous, irresponsible, and downright foolish.

When Obi-Wan had his own night of drunken foolishness in his youth, Qui-Gon had responded not by giving him extra chores, training, or meditation, but a more...hands-on approach.

He knew that Anakin wouldn't mind performing extra chores or training, but he certainly could do with extra meditation exercises. As for the hands-on approach, well Anakin would surely fight him tooth and nail, but his padawan had gone too far tonight.

Speaking of his Padawan, he could currently hear him sputtering curses in between spurts of vomiting.

Obi-Wan strode over to the refresher and peered in the doorway. Anakin was slumped over the toilet, sweat beading down his forehead.

"Padawan here, let me help you." Obi-Wan walked over to Anakin and helped him rise to his feet, steadying the boy in his grip. He grabbed a washcloth and ran it under cold water. After wringing it out, he folded it and placed it on Anakin's forehead.

"Hold that there while I get a salve for your bruises Anakin."

Obi-Wan made quick work of applying the salve to Anakin's bruises, gently rubbing it in as his Padawan hissed at the touch.

"Padawan, I fear you are dehydrated, and I don't like these injuries to your head. After we finish up here, you are going to bed young man."

"Yes master." Anakin closed his eyes and let out a groan. The lights in the 'fresher were so bright and were making his headache worse.

After Obi-Wan finished applying the salve to Anakin, he removed the washcloth and set it aside. He then opened the medicine cabinet, searching for the white bottle of aspirin. He then deposited two pills into Anakin's hand and made him wash them down with a small cup of water. He led his padawan down the hallway, all the while supporting Anakin's weight with his arm underneath his shoulder blade.

Obi-Wan opened the door to his Padawan's room. He flipped on the lights and his eyes scanned across the piles of droid parts and other various uh items, which looked more like garbage than anything else.

It seems we have more than just the drinking to discuss, Obi-Wan thought dismally.

As Obi-Wan helped Anakin settle into bed, he spoke next, his words making Anakin sigh in annoyance at the upcoming lecture he would be receiving. "It seems we will be discussing more than just your nightly escapades my young padawan. But as I said before, you need your rest. We will discuss these issues tomorrow when you are feeling better."

Anakin closed his eyes and exhaled in relief. "Thank you master. I truly am sorry about tonight."

"Yes Anakin, you will be, but rest for now. We will discuss things tomorrow."

Anakin gulped at his master's foreboding words of 'you will be,' whatever that meant.

"Yes, master. Goodnight." Anakin rolled over on his side, exhaustion from the night's activities catching up to him.

"Goodnight, my little troublemaker."

Obi-Wan reached down and ruffled a now sleeping Anakin's hair. He walked out of the room quietly, careful to avoid waking his padawan. With one final glance at Anakin, he turned off the lights and gently closed the door behind him.

Obi-Wan chuckled to himself. At this point I'm surprised I don't have a head full of gray hair.

But tomorrow they would have their little 'chat,' and hopefully Obi-Wan could stifle the rebellious nature of his Padawan.

For now, though, Obi-Wan retreated to his own chambers, as his bed was calling his name. It was after five in the morning now, and he needed his rest just as much as his disobedient Padawan did.

As his head hit the pillow, he gave into the sweet release of sleep, and let the anticipation of tomorrow's discussion fade away.

TBC…