CHAPTER 3 : Peace never lasts long.


Anakin ran to the Council's tower hoping he was not too late for the meeting because he was the one who would make the report. "Here they are! And Obi-wan has just arrived… good" Skywalker thought as he approached the small group of Jedi waiting for the elevator.

"Good morning Padawan Skywalker" Master Unduli said as Anakin bowed.

"Hello Skywalker" added Bariss Offee blushing. Anakin and she had learnt to know each other in many ways during the mission of Ansion, even with their bodies in one torrid night. After all, Anakin Skywalker was the Chosen one, so many Jedi women were mesmerized by him and he wouldn't complain.

"Good morning Anakin !" Obi-wan greeted, with a large and fatherly smile, "how was your night ?"

"Very well Master, what about yours? By the way, I like our new haircut" Anakin replied happily.

Obi-wan passed a hand in his hair and smiled once again : "Thank you my friend. Shall we go now ?"

"You've always been handsome Obi-wan, but right now, being a Jedi around you is very difficult…" Luminara thought before enter in the elevator. She was a Jedi, but she knew deep down, in every being, that attraction to another one was also common among her peer. She just had to control and let it go, and only seek the Force guidance, not Obi-wan's.

The doors of the elevator opened and the four Jedi went inside the Council Chamber, then they all bowed before the Masters Jedi and waited for the authorization to speak. Mace Windu nodded to Obi-wan as he asked him to start the report. Then Obi-wan turned to his padawan telling him to do what he had to do. Master Yoda arched a eyebrow, surprised, waiting for Skywalker's declaration.

"We arrived on Ansion three months ago because of risk of a civil war. As you knew, Ansion's government wanted to remain with the Republic but the Hutts had decided different, the Separatist were already here when we landed on the planet," Anakin began .

The Chosen one continued his report with fear and finished it with brio, Obi-wan was very proud of him. He would have to let Anakin lead more often in order to earn his trust because he knew, in the past, Anakin trusted more Palpatine than his master. But this time, it would not happen and the Master Jedi had already some ideas.

"A great report young Skywalker, you did" said Yoda with a gentle smile.

"Thank you Master Yoda" Anakin replied.

"Now Luminara and her padawan will come with the Council to Palpatine's Office, he should know about the Separatist crisis." Mace Windu added. "Until then Obi-wan and Anakin, you are free. May the Force be with us all."


Once Anakin and his Master quitted the Council Tower, the padawan learner could not prevent himself to ask few questions about his Master's new behavior. "Mmmh Master ?"

"Yes Anakin ?" the Master answered, smiling.

"Why did you let me do the report ? I mean, you are the Master, it is your role in front of the Council."

"Is it my friend ?" Obi-wan replied laughing. "No one seemed surprised that I let you do it. And you did very well, I have nothing to fear for you in the future".

"Are you abandoning me Master ?"

"Of course not Anakin, but you are nineteen, you will be a Knight one day, and I won't be forever with you, you will have to take a padawan and pass my teachings."

"A padawan ? No not for me, Master. We are a great time, it would be too bad if we separate." Anakin replied grinning.

"To teach is a great honor Ani. But alright, I'll keep you with me as long as I can." Obi-wan agreed playfully. Then he and Anakin started laughing like they used to in the Clone wars. "Good, the brotherhood will be quicker this time, I'm glad."


An hour later, after a Senate session, the Council Jedi was standing in Palpatine's Office. The Chancellor sat behind his desk with two red guards on either side of the door. Yoda, Plo Koon, Ki-Adi Mundi and Mace Windu sat across from him and behind them stoodd the Jedi Luminara Unduli and her Padawan.

"I don't know how much longer I can hold off the vote, my friends. More and more star systems are joining the separatists," Palpatine said gravely .

"If they do break away –" started the Korun Master.

"I will not let this Republic that has stood for a thousand years be split in two. My negotiations will not fail!" the older man replied.

"If they do, you must realize there aren't enough Jedi to protect the Republic. We are keepers of the peace, not soldiers" added Windu with a serious tone.

Then Palpatine turned to the Great Master of the Council and asked: " Master Yoda, do you think it will really come to war?"

Yoda closed his eyed and replied:"Worse than war, I fear… much worse."

Palpatine's face became grave and asked :"What ?"

"What do you sense Master ?" Mace Windu asked too.

"The Dark Side clouds everything. Impossible to see, the future is. But this I am sure of" Yoda opened his eyes, " do their duty, the Jedi will."

An hologram appeared on Palpatine desk, then an aid spoke in Huttese :" The loyalist committee has arrived, my Lord."

"Good. Send them in," the Chancellor replied. "We will discuss this matter later."

Every one stood up to greet the Committee and specially Senator Amidala who recently was victim of an assassination's tentative. When they were all near enough, Yoda taped the ground with his cane and started speaking with Padmé Amidala. "Senator Amidala, your tragedy on the landing platform… terrible. Seeing you alive brings warm feelings to my heart".

The woman smiled and replied kindly : "Thank you, Master Yoda. Do you have any idea who was behind the attack?"

"Our intelligence points to disgruntled spice miners, on the moons of Naboo." Mace Windu said, coming behind Padmé.

Then Amidala added: "I think it's Count Dooku."

Naturally, because of the Senator's words, every Jedi looked to each other, the surprise was easily read on their faces. Ki-Adi Mundi stepped forward and addressed to the woman from Naboo: " He is a political idealist, not a murderer."

Mace Windu also spoke :" You know M'Lady, Count Dooku was once a Jedi. He could not assassinate someone, it's not in his character."

"In dark times nothing is what it appears to be, but the fact remains for certain, Senator, in grave danger you are " Yoda finished with a worried look.

Then Chancellor Palpatine rose from his chair and stood in front of the window, looking out at the great city of Coruscant and its sky grippings, his mind wandering through miles of steels, and glaces. "Masters Jedi, may I suggest that the Senator be placed under the protection of your graces."

Astonished, Senator Bail Organa asked :" Do you think that is a wise decision during these stressful times?"

Padmé also added angrily : "Chancellor, if I may comment, I do not believe the..."

"The Situation is that serious ? No but I do Senator" cut Palpatine.

"Please Chancellor, I don't need more guards !" Amidala replied.

"I realize all too well that additional security might be disruptive for you, but perhaps someone you are familiar with... an old friend like... Master Kenobi..." the elder man confessed gently then looked to Master Windu who nodded.

"It's possible. He has just returned from a Border dispute on Ansion." Mace informed to every one.

"Do it for me, M'Lady, please. I will rest easier. We had a big scare today. The thought of losing you is unbearable," Palpatine pressed on, clearly disturbed by his own imagination.

"I will have Obi-Wan report to you immediately, M'Lady" finished the Councilor Jedi.

Then Padmé sighed but accepted the protection the Jedi gave her. "And it's been a while I haven't seen Obi-wan and little Ani" thought Padmé as every Jedi left the Office.


Meanwhile, Obi-wan and Anakin were starting to spare and many Jedi masters as knights came to see the two of them. "And Anakin is not the Hero with no Fear yet" Obi-wan thought grinning at his padawan.

"See the people Master? I won't go easy on you this time, my fans have high expectations." Anakin said teasing.

"Good. Double pride, double the fall" Obi-wan replied smiling.

Then Anakin ignited his lightsaber and started his stance, ready to strike and truly concentrate. Obi-wan ignited his sword too and choose his famous stance of Soresu.

"I have a little surprise for you Ani," the Master informed.

"What is he doing ? " said Skywalker to himself. "Alright bring it on Master !" The padawan screamed and attacked.

He was easily dodged by his Master but Anakin continued to press on. Obi-wan knew all to well Anakin's moves, he had seen them so many times in the war, Anakin would not win this little training : Kenobi continued to create an unbreakable defense and waited for Anakin's mistake. It had been his way to fight since the war, and he had perfected every year, even on Tatooine where he fought against the Tusken Raiders and A'Sharad Hett, during their multiple assaults. His technic was one of the best like the other Master said, even Master Windu had told him that Obi-wan had not mastered the Soresu but he was THE master of Soresu.

"There is your error my friend" Obi-wan noted. And in a quick cicular move of the wrist, Anakin's lightsaber was out of his hand. Obi-wan forcepushed his padawan and held the sabers to his throat.

"I win Ani," the Master announced smiling.

"Incredible Master! You had always hide Soresu, I'm very ... surprised", Anakin replied, both admiration and pain deforming his voice. The Forcepush had been gentle, yet utterly powerful and the Chosen-One really believed he hadn't seen it all.

"Don't worry, one day you will find an opening in my defense," Obi-wan winked as he helped Anakin to stand up.

"I'll try my best Master… Let's go home, I'm starving !"

Obi-wan rolled his eyes and followed his padawan to their quarters. "When will you learn patience my dear friend ?"


Once they reached the doors of their home, Obi-wan felt a presence he knew too well inside and asked himself what was going to happen.

"I thought you'll never come back, the dinner is almost ready Obi-wan lo-" Siri came happily from the kitchen but stopped in front of the padawan, nearly cursing his presence.

"Master Tachi ?" Anakin asked. "What are you doing here ?"

"Wait you made the dinner, Siri ?" Obi-wan said worried.

"I tried Obi-wan," Siri replied, one of her eyebrow rising.

"WHAT IS GOING ON ?" Anakin screamed.

"Calm down Anakin, Siri just wanted to be very friendly and made us dinner. Ferus is not here ?"

"No Obi-wan, Ferus is playing with the green twi-lek girl," Siri said with an evil smile, "If you know what I mean…"

"Siri …" The auburn Jedi shook his head as he sighed loudly.

"Wait !? Master, you don't say anything ? no "Attachment leads to the darkside" or any other quotes of the Jedi Code ?" Anakin replied, shocked for the least.

"Well what Ferus's doing is clearly a little game for a night, you can't call that attachment… And … the Code speak about the danger of passion like jealousy and the fear of losing the other. But if you can find pure love, a non-selfish love and without limite… Then you can't walk to the darkside" said Obi-wan as he looked right into Siri's eyes.

"What made you change your mind ?" Skywalker's face was shining of joy, and that was an understatement.

"I simply remembered my old Master," Obi-wan laid his eyes on the beauty in front of him. "Qui-Gon Jinn used to love everything, he also knew that everything goes to the Force when time has come. So death is only a "see you soon"…"

"Alright, let's eat now my romantic Jedi Knight"Siri Tachi said before returning in the kitchen to bring the food.

The dinner was actually really good much to Obi-wan's surprise, he never thought Siri could make something eatable and felt remorse to never try her kitchen before. Anakin did eat everything he could, so his Master guessed he liked Siri's food… perhaps even more than his own. Obi-wan laughed silently at the thought. But then his com-link rang so Siri and Anakin came next to him to hear what he had to.

"Obi-wan ? This is Mace Windu" said the voice in the comlink.

"What is it Master ?"

"I'm sorry but you have another mission tomorrow. Senator Amidala was victim of an assassination but fortunately she is unharmed. The Chancellor himself asked you and your apprentice to assure her protection in her apartment," Windu informed gravely.

Obi-wan saw the worry in Anakin's eyes, the kind of worry he could have for Siri, and laid a hand of his padawan's shoulder, trying to reassure him. "I understand Master, we will be there tomorrow as soon as possible."

"May the Force be with you," Mace Windu said before cutting the transmission.

"Well Siri I am sorry, but we will have to sleep in order to be ready tomorrow," Obi-wan said, a little sadly, as Anakin nodded to Siri and ran into his bedroom.

"I understand Obi-wan, don't worry. I had a very good evening with you and Anakin." Then she kissed him passionately and Obi-wan could not resist, he kissed her back. "I loved the way you described the feelings you have for me, my dear."

"Feelings ? Such a poor word for what I really feel…" Siri arched an eyebrow, waiting for him to continue. Obi-wan took her in his arms and said in her ear: "I love you Siri Tachi, I am entirely yours".

Siri blushed and kissed her lover. "I love you too Obi-wan Kenobi, and I am yours as well. Now go sleeping or you'll get killed tomorrow," Siri warned smiling playfully.

"Good night my love" Obi-wan said before entering his room.

"Good night love" replied Siri and then she left Anakin and Obi-wan's quarters and headed back to her own room, a little disappointed she could not have "spend" the night with Obi-wan….


Author note : Well, this chapter is longer than the previous ones. Hope you liked it, as you see the Attack of the clones has started. Next time, Padmé and the bounty hunter !
Jedi Kay Kenobi : First, I never really liked Obi-wan's mullet. I think he's way better in episode 3 but anyway Obi-wan is still handsome no matter his haircut :D. And yes Siri will have a big role in the clone wars and before that, she will appear in Geonosis… You will see ;)

I'll be posting the next chapter as soon as I can, please review !