The Masters nodded in agreement, before switching their focus back to the main topic: Anakin Skywalker.

"I recall Senator Amid- Skywalker's pregnancy at the end of the Clone Wars. What became of the child?" Master Mundi asked.

Obi-Wan saw Mace grinning at him. "I think Master Kenobi would prefer to elaborate on this topic."

Obi-Wan tried to glare but only felt his own grin spreading at the thought of Anakin and Padme's children.

"Very well Master Windu," he began. "The first thing the Council should be aware of is that the child was actually fraternal twins. Luke and Leia Skywalker were born only a few days after Order 66, and so they are nineteen. The Skywalkers also have an adopted daughter named Mara Jade whose story I will elaborate on in a moment. Then there is Jinn Skywalker who is seventeen. His younger sister Hope who is fifteen and finally a second pair of twins, both male. Owen Skywalker and… Obi-Wan Skywalker."

"Name their youngest son after you Master Kenobi, the Skywalkers did, hmm? An honour that is."

"They also, it would appear, think of Master Kenobi as Uncle Obi-Wan it would appear," Mace interjected with a wry smile in Obi-Wan's direction. "In fact Lady Skywalker managed to achieve a rare feat when informing us of her children. She made Obi-Wan speechless."

There were muffled chuckles from around the room at the thought of the 'Great 'Negotiator' lost for words.

"Mentioned the Skywalker's adoptive daughter, you have not yet Obi-Wan?"

"Yes, what of her? The way you spoke of her made it seem like she had an unusual story, Master Kenobi," Ki-Adi Mundi said, his head on one side as he gazed unblinkingly at Obi-Wan.

"Indeed Master Mundi," Obi-Wan responded. "It appears that when the Empire was declared Sidious began taking Force-Sensitive infants from their homes and wiping out their families."

There were various exclamations of shock and horror across the room but Obi-Wan ignore them as he ploughed on through the details.

"Mara Jade was born to her parents about a year and a half after the rise of the Empire. At around a year old the Emperor sent some of his servants to collect the youngling to be trained as one of his personal assassins. Anakin came upon the scene, unfortunately after Mara's parents had already been slaughtered by the Inquisitors. He took out the Inquisitors and then discovered the parents' bodies. He collected some of their things, to give little Mara something to remember them by when she was older, then he took little Mara to Padme and they left the planet with her and their twins. Padme was still pregnant at the time, and not too impressed with the thought of 4 children under the age of three from the sounds of it. But the thought of what Sidious was planning made her resolve stronger to defy him. So they adopted Mara under the guise of being her uncle and aunt, raised her as if she was theirs by blood and she loves them as if they were her parents. They've trained her to use her Force-Sensitivity and she carries a lightsaber."

"Trained her as if she was a Jedi they have?" Master Yoda asked.

"Yes Master," Mace responded. "Although we did not have the chance to examine her skills while we were with the fleet."

"That is understandable Master Kenobi," Master Mundi said. "You were trying to negotiate a historic treaty with no doubt hostile people."

"Indeed," Windu agreed. "High Command make their displeasure clear within moments of our arriving. Only the intervention of Leader Skywalker prevented an all-out shouting match. She did then make clear her own displeasure at our hiding when they had been fighting for years. Although she did express it in her own way."

"As ever," Obi-Wan agreed. "Although they did show their disapproval, we were not condemned absolutely, we have returned with a negotiated treaty, for the Council's approval. Although there are a few extra conditions that High Command does not want recorded and would prefer to remain private between the Order and themselves."

"Conditions?" Master Yoda asked. "What conditions would these be Obi-Wan?"

"They regard the Skywalkers and Tano," Obi-Wan continued. "Obviously High Command are aware of the restrictions of the Jedi Code, particularly its rules governing attachment. They are also aware of what many Jedi's reaction will be to Anakin, Ahsoka but most especially Padme."

"A not altogether surprising reaction, wouldn't you agree, though, Master Kenobi?" asked Master Mundi.

"No," he responded, inclining his head. "I am aware of this, as is High Command, but they also wished to make it clear that there will be disciplinary measures for insubordination and disrespect of the leaders of the Alliance. They made it clear that not even Jedi Masters, even those of us on the Council, will not be above their jurisdiction. They wished us to make this clear to the Council and also to say that any Jedi who wish to join the Alliance must be aware, and willing to comply, with these conditions, before they will agree to any final treaty with the Order."

"I see," Master Yoda considered.

"Master Yoda!" the Master who had been angry earlier exploded. "How can you be so calm about this demand?"

"Because reasonable it is, Master Tiin" he responded. "Entirely justified High Command are, respect for their leaders their concern is. Worried, I would be, if not this demand they had made. Agree, we should," this addressing Mace and Obi-Wan, "prepare for departing our forces will."

"Yes Master," they both responded.

The Council rose from their seats as they adjourned, each headed to different tasks to prepare the Jedi for joining the Alliance. Obi-Wan and Mace remained behind with Yoda.

"Contact your former apprentice, you will Master Kenobi. Inform that the terms agreed to have been. Then begin organising the Knights we will."

Yoda and Mace left the room and Obi-Wan folded himself back into his chair after they left. He entered a meditative state, reaching for the bond he shared with Anakin, diminished with the years and the separation of their minds. He touched it and sent a wave of warmth in Anakin's direction. There was a pulse of light and affection in response and Obi-Wan felt the barriers between their minds drop for the first time in decades. Anakin's voice echoed down the bond.

"Master?"

"You don't have to call me that Anakin, you've not been my apprentice for years," Obi-Wan chastised.

"I know," the bond thrummed with amusement. "But when I say it its affectionate, not subservient, Obi-Wan, and you know that. Anyway, what did you want to say?"

"A message from Master Yoda. The Jedi Council agree to your terms and will meet you, with one of our cruisers, at the rendezvous point, when?"

"10 days" came the short response. "Shields up Master. I'd rather Sidious not sense me."

With that he cut off the connection and his shields slammed up over the barrier again. Obi-Wan put his own shields up, agreeing with Anakin's logic over Sidious, before going to find the other Masters.

10 busy days later Obi-Wan found himself standing on the bridge on the Jedi Cruiser Endeavour. It was an Old Republic Cruiser that they had, um, liberated during the Order's retreat from Coruscant. The ship was loaded with 400 Jedi Knights and 7 Jedi Masters, along with their supplies and necessities including 4 squadrons of fighters. They were in hyperspace, as they had been for eight hours on the way to the rendezvous point with the Rebellion.

The stars shortened as they reverted to real-space and the massive cruiser hung motionlessly in space for a moment. The area around them was completely empty. The Council Masters exchanged glances before Obi-Wan moved forward and called to the bridge crew.

"Do a scan for surrounding ships."

"Yes Master," the young Knight on the equipment responded. His fingers moved for a minute before he continued. "We're not picking up anything Master Kenobi, no ships…wait. Something just came out of hyperspace. A small freighter, a Corellian G9 Rigger Freighter according to our records. Three lifeforms aboard."

"Really," Obi-Wan replied. "Thank you." He moved to the front of the bridge and looked out. Sure enough there was the freighter moving swiftly towards them on the port side. He chuckled and muttered to himself. "I can't believe that thing's still flying."

Mace cast him a curious look. "You recognize the freighter Obi-Wan?" he asked.

Obi-Wan nodded and leant forward clicking on the comm to hail the ship. A channel opened instantly.

"Endeavour to spice freighter, come in."

"This is the Twilight," a robotic voice responded. "Transit codes for recognition."

"Acknowledged Twilight," he motioned for the comm operator to transmit the codes. They waited a moment and then the channel opened again.

This time there was no covering voice manipulation and a female voice rang through the bridge.

"Jedi Cruiser Endeavour this is the Twilight under the command of Deputy Fleet Commander General Ahsoka Tano of the Rebel Alliance. We are here to escort you to the rendezvous point with the rest of the rebel fleet. Permission to dock in the port side hanger, 3 klicks back."

There were nods all around and Obi-Wan pressed the button to transmit. "Permission granted Twilight. We will see you in the hanger."

"Twilight out."

The representatives of the Council hurried off the bridge and down to the hanger. Obi-Wan found himself alongside Plo Koon who was visibly exuding relief and joy. Once in the hanger the Council found an assembly of one hundred Jedi, those not occupied on tasks elsewhere around the ship, waiting patiently. They made their way through the crowd as the Twilight passed through the atmospheric shields and the blast doors slid shut behind it. The old freighter settled on its struts with a slant familiar to Obi-Wan. The engines shut down and there was silence for a few moments before the ramp lowered with its typical creak and juddering.

There was again breathless silence, finally broken by the thud of boots down the ramp. A hooded figure came down the ramp at a brisk pace and halted at the bottom. Then it raised slender arms and flung back its hood. Ahsoka Tano gazed round at the hanger critically before returning her gaze to the Jedi in front of her, crossing her arms over her montrols. She cocked an eyebrow at the assembly, and a smirk flickered over her face, before her gaze fell on Plo Koon. They locked eyes for a moment and then she inclined her head before turning it slightly and calling back up into the Twilight:

"Clear."

One glance beside him showed Obi-Wan that Mace was confused as to why Ahsoka was so guarded even among her allies, and he could see Windu about to ask a question when there was another thump of boots upon the ramp. Obi-Wan could see two more grey cloaks at the top of the ramp before they came down. Unlike Ahsoka these two were not hooded as they made their way down the ramp. He inwardly groaned as the dark head of Leia Skywalker and the red head of Mara Jade appeared and looked around the hanger just as critically as Ahsoka had done. They were only saved from further questions when there was a sequence of beeps and R2-D2 whirled down the ramp. Leia grinned down at him and Ahsoka looked similarly amused before jerking her head to the right.

Instantly Leia and Mara broke away from Tano and headed towards the lift, R2 tagging at their heels.

"Excuse me," Master Mundi called after them. "Where are you going?"

Leia looked back and quirked an eyebrow before replying in a rich amalgamation of accents that betrayed her upbringing of shifting planets. "To the bridge of course."

Mundi looked like he was about to reply angrily when Ahsoka intervened.

"Under my command Master Mundi," she said. "We are taking control of the bridge for the process of exiting and entering hyperspace. The Lieutenants are going ahead to familiarise themselves with the surroundings. We will allow you access to the bridge as soon as we have entered hyperspace."

By this point Jade and Skywalker had disappeared and Ahsoka closed and locked the ramp of the ship before striding towards the turbolift, the Masters having to hurry behind her as she made her way, cloak billowing.

But of course, Obi-Wan mused, she had spent years on cruisers of this exact design in the Clone Wars. No doubt she still remembered every nook and cranny. They made their way to the bridge and all of the party could feel the annoyance, confusion and frustration radiating out of the door.

Ahsoka rolled her eyes and muttered something that sounded like Jedi under her breath. Before any of the Masters had time to get offended she had already shoved the bridge door aside with a Force push and was stalking in. The Jedi followed quickly to see a group of Jedi Knights standing attempting to argue with Leia Skywalker while Mara Jade was doing something on a screen behind her. Attempting being the word because young Leia appeared to be verbally eviscerating them. Much like her mother it would appear.

In front of them Ahsoka chuckled and continued down the bridge. At that point Leia spotted her and snapped to attention, saluting.

"General Tano!" she exclaimed. The Jedi Knights turned around and caught sight of the irate Togruta stalking towards them. One of them opened their mouth to speak and Ahsoka Tano cut him off.

"Lieutenant return to your duty. We have a limited time frame."

Leia nodded and rushed to a screen, discarding her cloak as she went, R2 following and plugging himself into an access point. Ahsoka now turned her attention to the Jedi Knights.

"You are all Jedi Knights I presume?" they nodded as she continued. "I am General Ahsoka Tano of the Rebel Alliance tasked by High Command to guide you to the rendezvous point. These Lieutenants are under my direct command. We cannot enter hyperspace due to security reasons until you are off the bridge. Move. Now."

They shuffled their feet for a moment before turning and heading off the bridge hurriedly, skirting around the Jedi Masters who stood there in silence. Mara and Leia were still working away, occasionally switching screens while Ahsoka finished inputting something on the central console, having discarded her own cloak onto an empty chair.

Suddenly she straightened up, turned around and raised an eyebrow at the Jedi Masters, as if asking them why they were still there. They hastily retreated beyond the doors which slid shut and locked with the flick of a wrist from Ahsoka.

They waited for what seemed like forever, although in reality only around five minutes, before there was a shudder and the ship leapt into hyperspace, headed towards an unknown destination.