Dooku swung his lightsaber left and right in a desparate attempt to ward off the Colicoids that advanced on him. He had been cut off from his wife, Shmi, and was determined to get back to her side.
A scream pierced and air and Dooku's ears, and the Count spun around to see his beloved wife limp in the grasp of a large Coliciod.
"Shmi!"
He charged in a fury, his blade cutting down all Colicoids in-between him and Shmi. The Colicoids quickly became wise and leapt from his path as he bore down on his target with murderous intentions. His dark eyes became wild and feral as he raced closer to the Colicoid who had so foolishly injured Shmi.
The Colicoid saw him coming but saw no danger in an old man charging towards him, regardless of the lightsaber in his hand, and made its own version of a laugh.
Dooku's rage grew, as did his pace.
"PUT DOWN MY WIFE, BEAST!!!" the Count roared, his deep voice shaking the very foundations upon which they all stood.
Many Coliciods shuddered at the power of his command.
With a vicious war cry, Dooku attacked the Colicoid, forcing it to release Shmi and severed all it's limbs one by one so that it suffer before finally killing it.
He put away his 'saber and carried Shmi away.
After seeing the savagery the Sith Lord was capable of, none of the Coliciods dared to move until he had gone.
**********
"She's been posioned, sir."
Dooku blanched at the medical droid's words. He swallowed convulsively.
"How long?" he asked in a hoarse voice.
"A month, perhaps, if we're lucky."
Dooku swallowed again.
"Is there an antidote?"
"We'll shall look for one right away."
The Count nodded his thanks and went to his wife's room.
His breath caught in his throat when he saw her, nearly as pale as the sheets that covered her.
"Oh, Shmi," he murmured.
Her eyes fluttered open at her husband's familar baritone voice.
"Tyln?" she said weakly, turning her head to seek the sight of Dooku's collosal form, which filled the door way.
She smiled and held her hand out towards him.
"Tyln, love."
Dooku closed the space between him and his beloved in a single stride, taking her small hand in his own large hand.
"I'm here, Shmi."
"I want to see Ani."
Dooku swallowed, his throat suddenly as dry as the sands of Tatooine from which he had taken her.
"Shmi, I don't-"
"Please, Tyln. Just this once."
Dooku met her pleading gaze and knew he could not refuse her the chance to see her son.
"I'll see if he's on Coruscant and if he can come."
He kissed her hand and left to contact Chancellor Palpatine, usely to him known as Lord Sidious, his Sith Master.
**********
"You what, Lord Tryanus?"
"I request Anakin Skywalker be sent to the Invisivble Hand at once, my Master."
Dooku's mind screamed at him to take it back, but his heart urged him on, and for Shmi, he always followed his heart.
"Might I ask why?"
"It's personal, Master."
Sidious decided to use blackmail.
"Tell me why first, or Anakin Skywalker will never set foot on you ship."
Dooku sighed. Oh, how he hated his Sith Master sometimes.
"Shmi wishes to see him. It has been a year since she last saw him, and his welfare consumes her."
"Very well. He and Master Kenobi shall be sent to you. Since he is still a Padawan, he cannot go alone."
"Understood. Thank you, my Master."
*************
"I don't like this, Master. Why would we be sent right into Dooku's warship?"
"I'm not sure, Anakin. Be on your guard."
The two stepped out of their transport to the main docking bay and were greeted by Dooku himself.
"Ah, Master Kenobi. Padawan Skywalker. Welcome to the Invisible Hand."
"What's this all about, Dooku?" Obi-Wan questioned.
Dooku smiled.
"You are here at the request of my wife, your Padawan's mother, Master Kenobi. She is unwell and pleaded with me to see young Skywalker. I could not refuse her, so please, follow me."
The Jedi followed the Count.
"What has made her unwell?" Anakin asked, worried for his mother.
"We were attacked on Colla IV, and Shmi was injured and posioned. My medical droids are searching for an antidote as we speak."
They finally reached Shmi's room.
"Shmi, darling, you have visitors."
"Mom."
Shmi smiled.
"Ani."
Anakin was quickly at his mother's bedside.
"Dooku, may I speak with you for a moment?"
"Of course, Master Kenobi."
The two stepped out into the hall, shutting the door behind them.
Obi-Wan sighed.
"I want to thank you for allowing this. Her welfare had consumed him from the moment he regained conciousness after our duel on Geonosis. Being with her for a while may do him some good."
"It may do her some good as well. I took one look into her eyes and just couldn't refuse to let her see him and vowed to do everything in my power to get him here to see her."
There was brief pause.
"You really do love her, don't you?"
"More than anything, Master Kenobi. More than anything."