The Tristan Betrayal

Summary: Sequel to Will of the Force. Chronicles the events that bring Anakin back to Coruscant and beyond.

Disclaimer: Star Wars belong to George Lucas, not us.

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Chapter 1

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Six Years before Will of the Force

Siri lay against the pillows, limbs entwined with Obi-Wan's, his fingers laced through her hair. Smiling lazily, she kissed his bare chest, snuggling closer to him.

"I wish we could stay like this forever," she sighed. "I feel so at peace when we're together."

Obi-Wan kissed her forehead gently, lightly tracing his finger over her face, caressing her mouth.

"You are always with me wherever I go," he whispered cupping her cheeks and lifting her head to meet his loving gaze. "I found true happiness when I opened my heart to you."

His embrace tightened into a protective hold. "My heart is forever joined with yours," he stated firmly bringing her lips to his.

/

Siri awoke with a start. She had been doing that a lot lately, dreaming of Obi-Wan and their happiest times together. Blinking the sleep from her eyes, she sat up and quickly sank back down as the all too familiar waves of dizziness and nausea washed over her. Sighing, she turned to bury her face into her pillow hoping the symptoms would pass…if she were just still for another minute…Groaning, she threw the covers back and raced into the fresher, unable to deny the truth she'd been desperately avoiding these last few weeks – she was pregnant.

/

Siri sat uneasily on one of the softly rounded pod chairs in Yoda's simply furnished quarters. She fidgeted nervously, struggling to find the right words. She always hated the idea of disappointing the diminutive Master. Yoda gazed at her calmly, waiting patiently for her to begin.

"Master Yoda, I…" Siri's voice faltered as she swallowed the lump in her throat. "I've come to resign from the Jedi Order."

If Yoda was shocked, he didn't show it. He simply continued to gaze at her compassionately.

"I've just recently learned I'm…well that…something has happened." Siri squared her shoulders, meeting Yoda's gaze directly.

"I'm pregnant," she announced.

"Required to leave the Order, you are not," Yoda replied simply.

"I know," Siri acknowledged with a grimace. "I've seen other Jedi have their children and turn them over to the crèche, never being able to tell them who they are or be a part of their lives other than as a fellow Jedi, and I know I would be expected to do the same and I just can't."

Tears filled her eyes. "I can't just have this baby and walk away. I can't carry this child, feel him or her growing inside me, becoming a part of me and then just…let go. I can't."

"Walk away you would not," Yoda argued. "Watch as the child grows into a strong Jedi you would."

"It's not enough," Siri snapped.

Yoda's eyes widened.

"I'm sorry, Master Yoda," she apologized. "I didn't mean…it's just so…I never thought this would happen," she burst into tears.

Yoda took a deep breath, closing his eyes. The Force was speaking to him. This child of Obi-Wan and Siri would be strong with the Force and need much guidance. More than Siri could give him alone.

Yoda stood from his chair and hobbled over to Siri, patting her arm gently.

"Know, does Obi-Wan?"

Siri gasped in shock, her head snapping up to meet Yoda's stare.

"You...you…you know about Obi-Wan?" she stumbled.

Yoda nodded. "A long time have I watched you and Obi-Wan. Always together, always staring at each other," he grinned broadly. "Subtle you were not."

Siri felt her cheeks burn with embarrassment.

"Understand the need for companionship I do," Yoda continued softly. "Forbidden, it is not."

Siri nodded, wiping her tears. "But loving him is forbidden and…and I do love him."

"Tell him when he returns you must. Help you to decide what to do Obi-Wan will."

"I can't," Siri argued.

Yoda's eyes narrowed.

"Please, Master Yoda, just listen," Siri said as she stood and began to pace. "I've watched Obi-Wan with Anakin over the years. I've seen the bond between them grow. Obi-Wan loves Anakin like a son. He would never be able to give his own child up to the crèche and walk away any more then I can."

She dropped back down into the chair. "That's why I have to leave before he returns."

"Know about this child Obi-Wan should. Allowed to make up his own mind he should be," Yoda declared firmly.

"I can't do that to him," Siri groaned. "I've already decided I'm leaving and I know Obi-Wan."

She looked squarely into Yoda's eyes. "I know he would come after me and I can't let that happen. Anakin needs him too much. The Order needs him too much."

Yoda sighed in defeat, shoulders slumping. "Go where, will you?"

Siri thought quietly for a few moments. "Corellia," she announced. "I've heard it's a beautiful planet and I have no ties there."

Yoda nodded. "Accept your resignation I do."

"Thank you," Siri breathed.

"But agree with your decision I do not," Yoda tapped his gimmer stick forcefully.

Siri hung her head.

"Keep your secret from Obi-Wan I will," Yoda continued. "If keep in touch I may."

"Oh…of course," Siri gulped, clearly surprised at his request.

"If help you need, be there I will," Yoda promised.

/

Siri slowly sat before the holo-recorder and activated the device.

"My dearest Obi-Wan," Siri smiled sadly. "I'm so sorry to have to leave this way, without a proper good-bye, but it's necessary that I leave now…" she paused, searching for the right words. "I've grown to love you so much, I…too much," she blinked away the tears threatening to fall. She was determined to get through this.

"I must have been crazy to think I could be with you and not fall truly, deeply in love and we both know there can be no happy ending if I stay…but I want you to know I don't regret one minute of our time together. They were the happiest of my life…and Obi-Wan, please believe…" Siri looked directly into the holo cam, "…my heart is forever joined with yours."

Siri stopped the recording, finally allowing the tears to fall freely down her cheeks. 'How I wish things could be different,' she thought, placing the recorder on Obi-Wan's desk. Taking one last look around his quarters, she bid a final, silent good-bye before turning and leaving the Temple for good.