A/N: I would just like to say I find titles and honorifics in Star Wars are a bit strange. Calling everyone "milady" is a bit odd when that form of address should be reserved to someone who has the rank of "Lady." Also in TPM, when Padme is the Queen, she's called "Your Highness" instead of "Your Majesty." As a result of my frustration, I Padme being called "Your Highness" in this fic, as I don't think she would be called "milady." It makes little sense to me. Instead, I headcanon that, as she abdicated the throne, she was given the honourary title of "Princess." Additionally, a Knight should be called "Sir," so if you ever see someone called "Sir" in this fic, it would be because they are a Jedi Knight. It's just what makes sense to me.

Part I: Rising Action

Chapter 1: Arrested Judgement

Obi-Wan is fidgeting in his seat unable to get comfortable when it happens: The comm call. He isn't actually supposed to be here, in the Senate, in Padmé's office. No one knows he is, in fact. The Council would certainly not approve of what he is about to do. Frankly, neither would Anakin. Obi-Wan feels a sense of unease ping through the Force. There's something wrong, something coming. He's not sure where it's from. It's why he's still here fidgeting. He's not sure if what he's doing is right. He crosses his arms and makes himself stop. It's a gesture he's not sure where he picked up from, either Qui-Gon or Anakin though. Between the pair of them he really ought to be used to navigating between maverick and Council. It's the only reason he can possibly think of that he might have been allowed the honour of training the Chosen One. Regardless, he's made his decision, and there's really nothing to be nervous about, even if he shouldn't be encouraging attachment, even if the means he's contemplating are somewhat unorthodox...the ends justify it this time. Anakin is unorthodox, and that requires unorthodox methods upon occasion. The Sith must be found, and his padawan-former, right, yes-needs support, and he's not getting it from the Jedi. So Obi-Wan is here, and at the most inconvenient time imaginable in the early morning, (so people ideally won't know he came; he does not want to discuss what he is about to do), having talked Amidala's aide into letting him into her office with ease. It had proved to be a fortuitous, devastating coincidence. There is no such thing, his thoughts whisper to him.

The comm call is clearly a recording, designed to be untraceable much like Bail's strange contact back before the Zigoola mission, and is undoubtedly a follow-up to a discussion. A man in a cloak, naturally with the cowl up, speaks. He is hiding his face too deeply for even Obi-Wan's tech to recognise facial identity. That Obi-Wan even thought to try is a testament to his training, and not his presence of mind, because he can barely think. The man speaks of moving plans ahead. He wants no more surprises like when the Senate voted for the wrong man. He speaks of ousting the Chancellor. He speaks of treason. He speaks of Darkness, mind tricks, the Sith. He worries Skywalker is getting too close. He warns her to keep an eye on him. He speaks to Padmé . This is not possible , Obi-Wan thinks. It cannot be so. He wonders if he shouldn't be reacting in a more visceral manner, but all he feels is blank.

There is a Sith in the Senate, assuredly, yes, but Senator Amidala? Even he, cynical as he is, would not have thought it. She has ever been the Jedi's staunchest ally. They have fought together on many occasions. Could she only be keeping her enemies close? Watch Skywalker, influence Skywalker, the recording had said...Oh, no...It couldn't possibly? Obi-Wan had come here to speak with Padmé of his concerns regarding his erstwhile former apprentice. With the political intrigue escalating, his friend was rather out of his depth. Obi-Wan was loathe to involve the Senator in this, but he had rather hoped that Anakin's attachments might work in the Jedi's favour this time. If his to Palpatine caused problems, well then couldn't another one balance out the difference? She had the political knowledge to help Anakin too, and he might actually listen to her. Stars knew he listened to few enough people. He pretended to, certainly, but in reality Anakin held his opinions staunchly, and rarely changed them, even if he said nothing and chose to glare. There was a deeply held part of Anakin Obi-Wan felt he'd never been able to reach, and he knew just the influence the good-but is she?-Senator could have. Anakin spoke to her about things differently than to his former master. He had never suspected ulterior motives from the woman such as this though: Ulterior motives, yes, just not like this...

"Obi-Wan!" He jumps up and turns behind him. There she is standing with a smile on her face. "What are you doing here?"

"Oh! Ah, good morning, Senator." He bows on reflex. "I apologise for coming quite so early." As he rises up again he scrutinises her looking for any sign he's missed. She is wearing a black dress with a large bodice. Her hair is down, which isn't common for her, but is hardly unusual. She seems content-perhaps too content, but she doesn't look any different then the last time he'd seen her. Surely she should seem different? But he should know better by now then to underestimate her. Maybe that was the warning all along. "I was just, um," Oh, dear, for the Negotiator he is not doing terribly well. "I just came to ask that you be cautious, Senator. I don't know if you've heard, but there are rumours of Dark intent in the Senate, if you take my meaning." This isn't true, but it's a good enough half-truth. He is uncertain he should mention Anakin at all now. It was probably best not to. Padmé nods her head, the smile slipping off her face.

"Yes, things are getting strained. I will be careful, Obi-Wan." She steps closer and places a hand on his forearm. It's all he can do not to jerk away. He expected her touch to burn, but it is wholly gentle. Is it all an act? "Is everything alright?"

No, no it isn't. You just received a very suspect message from a man I believe must be a Sith. I cannot understand it, but he cannot say that. Stang, what if she knows? What if it's all real in the worst way and she knows he knows? It's not likely she would suspect, surely? She cannot know how long he was there, what he had heard. He masks his panic in the Force as much as possible, and raises his shields to the highest level. She'd better not have sensed that. Now is not the time for the rash and foolish. He must find his focus.

"I'm just very tired, Your Highness."

"Padmé."

"Padmé." He corrects himself. "The war does take its toll. Forgive me, I'm afraid I have an urgent meeting. I only stopped by to warn you." He needs to get out of here as quickly as possible. Outwardly he tries to maintain a Jedi coolness, an unruffled aloofness, if you will. Inside, his blood pressure is rapidly rising in spite of his hurried grip on the Force. He fears there are beads of sweat on his brow. He never did like the heat.

"Well, thank you, Obi-Wan. Feel free anytime."

They exchange a few more banal pleasantries, and Obi-Wan leaves her office, as quickly as looks professional, thankfully avoiding Jar Jar, or anyone else. He cannot imagine why Padmé would have received such a message. It has to be a mistake; it must be. How could they have all been so blind? It is one thing not to notice a Sith influencing the Senate, and that's bad enough, but to wine and dine and fight alongside one… For his apprentice to be so enraptured with her... It couldn't be true, but why the comm call? And it had come at such a time when almost no one would be around. He'd made sure to come early for that very reason. Was this the threat he'd felt in the Force? The wrongness he'd sensed just before the call came in? It was so hard to see clearly these days with the Dark Side everywhere, but what benefit would there be in a comm call that wasn't genuine? He doesn't know. His thoughts once crisply ordered are flying around in his head. There is a Sith in the Senate, or at least a Sith influencing the Senate, and neither the Council, nor the Shadows, nor the Seers, can sense whom. Therefore, it could be anyone...but Padmé…

He tries to be objective as he leaves the Senate building, gets into a taxi cab, and vaguely requests to be brought to the Temple. She could have any kind of agenda. He's admired her for her accomplishments; they've been through a few tough spots together, but does he truly know her? She has had more contact with the Sith than any civilian he knows. She is one of only three or four non-Jedi who even knows they still exist. The Sith were on Naboo, so was she. Perhaps they were playing both sides of the conflict, in the same way Dooku and Sidious played both sides of the war…? Dooku had mentioned Naboo the penultimate time they'd fought. He'd said it all began there, or perhaps it is all a misunderstanding, somehow , and Padmé will cooperate, and they will be able to trace whomever sent that message, and what it was really all about? He will have to bring this to the Council… But, no, of course, that won't do either, he must go to Master Windu and Master Yoda first, now that Palpatine is monitoring them all so closely. No one must know about this, especially not Anakin. Oh, Anakin… It occurs to him he doesn't even know where Anakin is. Anything could be happening to him right now. His pupil has never been in greater danger. Obi-Wan doesn't even remember the journey back to the Temple.

"Master Windu!" He strides forward quickly, robes flapping, to where Mace is studying what is surely yet another report on the war effort. It takes a moment for Obi-Wan to realise he's out of breath.

"Obi-Wan," Master Windu looks up with concern. "What has happened?" He even stands up to study him. Force, he must really look bad.

"I have," he pauses to huff slightly. The Temple really is too large for sprinting. "I have just stumbled upon the most disturbing information. I believe I may know who among Palpatine's inner circle is influencing the Senate."

"Stumbled? What do you mean?"

"Yes, Master, we need to speak with Yoda, and-"

"Master Yoda is on Kashyyk, Kenobi. Surely you recall?"

"Oh, oh, yes." Yoda had been sent there partially to draw the Sith out into making a foolish move. It must have worked. He really is out of sorts to have forgotten. He'd been a part of that meeting. This won't do; this really won't do. "The Sith are moving, Master. I-"

"Perhaps you should sit down." Sit down?! This was hardly the time to sit down -didn't Windu hear what he'd just said?-but years of instinct forbid him from disobeying. He needed to sit down. He needed to meditate. He is a Jedi Master on the Council ; he is not a panicking Padawan.

"Tell me exactly what happened; I will contact Master Yoda."

Obi-Wan breathes in and out, and centres himself. Star's sake, he's too old to lose his focus like this.

"Wait!" It occurs to him in a flash. "What if they're listening in?"

Master Windu presses his palms together firmly in contemplation as he sits across from him in a meditative pose. Obi-Wan knows he is debating the risk of being eavesdropped on, however minimal, and putting the Sith on their guard vs. proceeding without Yoda's unmatched insight. Obi-Wan is glad to have someone else telling him what to do. It eases his burdens. He could never survive without their collective wisdom. It has always bothered him the divide between Anakin and the Council. He has been playing messenger between them for years. Could Anakin not see what an asset and privilege it was to have their wisdom to guide you? What burdens they carried as they tried to guard the entire Galactic Republic? Anakin raged at their oversight, but all Obi-Wan could see in it was arrogance. The Council could afford to be more understanding of his unique position, perhaps, but they had large concerns. Where would any of them be without their guidance? Where would he be? (An angry child with no discipline who never accomplished anything of worth…Failure is something that Obi-Wan fears above anything. They allowed his training despite his flaws, and he will not let them down.) Sometimes he cannot believe he is a member of such an august body.

"I think we should contact him."

"Yes, Master." It is an immense relief.

Within five standard minutes, Obi-Wan is having the most galaxy-shaking conversation of his life.

"Hmmm…" Yoda rubs a stubby hand over his balding head. "Disturbing is this news."

"You are confident that they spoke of efforts to remove the Chancellor?"

"Yes, I suppose it would make sense, if they ultimately want to rule themselves. Mind tricks and influence only go so far."

"And the Sith spoke of monitoring Skywalker? They say he's getting too close?" Master Windu continues to lay the information out step by step.

"Yes." Oh, Anakin…

"References were made to Naboo?"

"Yes."

"We must move quickly if we are to ensure the Jedi Order's survival. We should take Amidala in for questioning immediately."

"If move too quickly we do, step on a minefield, we may." Yoda points at him sharply with his ever-present stick. Even through the hologram he demands respect. "A trap this may be. More evidence we will require to take such action. "

"It is only questioning, Master Yoda. Peace must be restored to the galaxy, and quickly! The Sith need be brought to heel. Their poison has already spread much too far. Obi-Wan has provided evidence enough to warrant questioning, and a midichlorian count alone will be sufficient to deem if she's a threat. If Senator Amidala is truly our ally, she will understand, but there are far too many coincidences here to overlook. This cannot be ignored."

"Enlighten the Sith to our knowledge, we should not."

Master Windu opens his mouth, but Obi-Wan sees an opportunity for compromise.

"I will see to the investigation, Masters." He places his fists on his knees and leans forward. "Discreetly, of course. It need not take very long, but we should investigate before the Sith learn of our advantage. No one will look too closely if I were to be seen around her quarters. We are noted for being old friends." Besides, he felt guilty. He'd allowed Anakin to be close to her, turned a blind eye, if she had had nefarious intent…If anything happened… He had told her once to stay away from Anakin, after Geonosis, when he and Yoda had seen what was going on. He'd wanted to ignore it then too, for Anakin's sake. His padawan had been hurting, but Yoda had warned him, made him go split them up. He hadn't wanted to. Oh, it had been salt in old wounds, but there it was attachment . Attachment, it was his flaw. Why Obi-Wan should have never been allowed to train the Chosen One, because he should have never have even been tempted to turned a blind eye at all, dammit. He'd told her that she would only get in the way of his destiny, that she would ruin him, and he knew she'd ignored him in the end. If she'd truly cared for him, she'd not have hindered him. Now he wondered if to interfere in his destiny, destroy him, was what she had intended all along. The Sith encouraged being ruled by passions, self-centered beings that they were. He needed to get to the bottom of this. He needed to protect Anakin, one way or another. He needed to atone.

"Agree, I do." Yoda croaks, but peers intently at him beneath his thick eyelids, impressing on Obi-Wan the importance of his words. "Careful you must be. If caught you are, devastating the consequences may be."

"Yes, Master." Obi-Wan wonders if he's ever spoken those words so solemnly before.

It doesn't take long, only a couple of days. Obi-Wan enters into her apartment near the Senate Complex, (and charms Typho quite well, he thinks), and finds very little, disregarding the blatant evidence she has a lover. Oh, Anakin… He hopes his apprentice hasn't taken anything too far, but when has Anakin ever not? His armour is in a chest in the bedroom. There are also changes of clothing in the drawers and closet, a tall man's bathrobe hanging on a hook, shaving equipment in the fresher… He doesn't need too much of the Force to sense Anakin's presence all over this place. He doesn't even bother using it to see what's happened in that bed. He shakes his head and moves on.

Padmé has another residence in 500 Republica granted to her by Palpatine as a gift upon her appointment as Senator. This one is a jackpot. He finds Sith synth-crystals, Dark side artifacts, and a Sith holocron. He dares not open it alone. He feels the cold of it, the malevolence, and feels sick. He's been extra sensitive to the Dark Side since Zigoola. Why would all this be here? Obi-Wan breathes in. He is not afraid. He will not be afraid. He exhales.

Immediately after Obi-Wan's return, Master Windu gathers the other Councilors still on Coruscant, Kit Fisto, Saesee Tiin, and Agen Kolar. Gathering in a circle, they support Master Windu as he probes through the Dark Side-as Master Yoda and Vaapad have taught him to manage-coaxing the little pyramid open.

What lies within is a series of shocking revelations that make an unfortunate amount of sense. They detail plans about a blockade for Naboo to put Sidious in power, plans Padmé knew about. They describe Maul's murder of Padawan Darsha Assant. (Obi-Wan remembers that case he took, left unsolved, right before he left with Master Qui-Gon for Naboo. He'd sensed the Darkness then. Was this the truth behind what happened?) The records continue. Amidala is the one who contacts Maul and summons him to Tatooine to kill the Jedi and destroy the Chosen One, but it doesn't go according to plan. (There never had been an explanation for how Maul had found them. Now they knew. Oh kriffing Force… ) Who else could it have been? The holocron indicates the upset that they had revealed themselves. Maul had killed Qui-Gon, had been ordered to kill Qui-Gon, in the hopes of keeping Anakin untrained. It was all done to gain political power. References are made to a Darth Plageuis, Hego Damask, who had kept an eye on Padmé, who had trained Padmé's master, the unknown Sidious. Hego Damask who funded the clone army...so that's where the funds had come from... Dooku who was a pawn to create discord. He was too old to be a useful apprentice, after all. Padmé, who had come to the Senate in the perfect position to manipulate the Chancellor, indeed groomed to do so… Padmé whose colleague Jar Jar was the one to first vote for emergency powers in the Senate. The evidence is becoming overwhelming. (Padmé who had fallen of the gunship, maybe deliberately, to distract Anakin from getting Dooku…) The pieces fit together so neatly. How convenient that the war should start, because Padmé just happens to get almost assassinated at the opportune moment. How convenient that she'd backed Clovis who'd ruined the banks. Oh, yes, how very convenient… Obi-Wan feels nauseated by more than just the stench of the Dark Side by the time the holocron is through. How had he never realised all this? Padmé had been there every step of the way. She and her Master had been behind everything.

After all, she is a politician, Anakin, and they are not to be trusted….

Around him the other masters are as stunned as he is, but they all know what must be done.

I just hope he doesn't do anything foolish….

Master Windu takes point with the others trailing close behind. Never in his life did Obi-Wan imagine he would be so reluctantly on the Council, that he would so dispiritedly arrest a Sith, that his Padawan-former he reminds himself-would be in bed with treason, however unknowingly, and it is as bad as he'd feared. What a fool he had been to allow Anakin his un-Jedi ways, to turn a blind eye, instead of teaching him to trust the Council and the Force. Now, look where they were, and it was all his fault.

They force themselves past security; it is Jedi business, after all, and they are at war. If the handmaidens on duty are surprised or concerned, they still allow them through. Why wouldn't they? Is not Senator Amidala their greatest ally? It is late at night; it must be urgent.

Yes, it is late at night, and Anakin is shirtless. He dashes out first. He senses their presence. Subtlety never was his style.

"What the kriff are you all doing here?" Neither was he politic.

"Ani? What's going on?" The Sith seductress comes out in her nightgown, Force help them, very pregnant. This wasn't going to be pretty.

"I might ask you the same thing, Skywalker?" Master Windu growls.

Amidala makes a good attempt at looking surprised at their presence.

"Masters Jedi? May I ask why you've come at such a late hour? And in such numbers?"

Master Windu maintains a glare on Anakin as he speaks. "We have found evidence-"

"What evidence could warrant this?!" Anakin snarls. He is still shirtless. Don't think about why, Kenobi.

"We have found evidence that you are a Sith Lady guilty of treason against the Republic. We have come to bring you in for questioning."

"What?! That's absurd! This is Padmé Amidala! There's no kriffing way."

"Hold your tongue, Skywalker!" Funnily enough, this time it wasn't Master Windu, but Master Kolar who spoke. Anakin really did have a way of grating on the Council's nerves. If he'd just listen...

Anakin swells up like a gorg, and Obi-Wan stills himself in preparation for a vicious, illogical tirade, but Padmé places one arm on his bicep and it has a similar effect to lancing a boil. Anakin diminishes and turns towards her softly. Star's sake, but he was in her thrall. This couldn't be healthy.

"It's alright, Ani." She speaks quietly. "I am confident we can get to the bottom of this."

Anakin nods sharply, looking most unwilling to let her go, but Padmé walks forward. None of the Jedi had expected this. What was her game?

I'm reluctant to let her into the Temple if she's to come so willingly. Master Tiin speaks through the Force.

If we put her with the Ysalamiri and use Force-suppressants it shan't be an issue. Master Kolar replies bluntly.

She is pregnant. This could upset her midichlorian count.

We must wait for the children to be born. We cannot take the risk of harming them. Obi-Wan puts forth, trying to buy time, for his sake, the Jedi Order's, Anakin's, he really couldn't say. We can test her midichlorian count then. It's not like it is entirely Anakin's fault this has happened. He has turned a blind eye to his quirks for far too long.

If we act too hastily now the Senate may move further against us.

Let's not forget her Master is still at large. We need her information. We will be cautious. If she is not fighting, then she has a plan. We will need to be ready. Master Windu concludes, and all agree.

Saesee Tiin goes forward with the special cuffs for Forcefuls. Padmé puts her hands out, and raises her chin, an icon of offended dignity.

"Is that really necessary?!" Anakin starts forward aggressively, and Master Windu ignites his saber holding it between the man and his wife.

"Stand down, Skywalker."

"It's fine, Ani." Padmé speaks again looking up at him with a paradox of grace and ferocity.

"Let's go." Master Fisto murmurs looking a mite despondent, and they leave. Anakin looks like a spitting dragon behind them, quivering with whatever it is inside him that is being contained. It is exceptionally un-Jedi like behaviour. Obi-Wan sighs.

"Put a shirt on, Anakin." He mutters in his direction, and the Masters and their prisoner leave the building.