Anakin's step was lighter and his mood better than it had been in months as he walked home in the afternoon. A long-dormant hope had risen once again, and he clung to it for all he was worth. It might work, he thought. It just might work.
The suggestion of Ruwee Naberrie to begin a speeder repair business was taken seriously. For the past month Anakin had been busily looking into such a thing. First he had gone to the County Seat to inquire about a business license, then did research into the competition, and then began searching for a place to set up shop...after he had had a thorough discussion with Padme about the idea. She was surprisingly supportive and enthusiastic. Having his wife's blessing, Anakin dove headfirst into the process. Every day he set out to search for an empty warehouse or other likely place he might rent or lease. Every day he returned home discouraged, but unwilling to give up.
Today it had finally happened. Anakin had come upon a place that was perfect. It needed work, but the leasing was doable and the size was just right. There were even two open bays that would work wonderfully for repair stations. Anakin was planning to discuss it with Padme, then meet with the owner to settle on a price. Already his mind danced with visions of success.
"Feroo-wheet!" whistled Artoo from Anakin's side. "Beep-ber-bee-bee-bee-boop. Bweep?" It sounded like a question.
"Of course I'm in a good mood, Artoo," replied Anakin with a smile. "You saw the place. It's perfect. Hopefully Padme agrees." He reached the outskirts of Theed and began hiking up the short, gently-sloping rise that hid his house from the city. The waterfalls faded slowly from a roar to a distant murmur as he walked on and on. His smile hardened a bit as the effort made his knee ache. His limp grew more pronounced.
Artoo beeped softly in concern, but was ignored.
"Ow!" Anakin finally stopped at the top of the hill, almost hopping on one foot and gritting his teeth at the pain. It wears off too fast, he reflected, thinking of the painkillers that had become a regular part of his daily routine. Not even the Force worked for very long. It might work if he took the time to clear his mind first. But Anakin was too impatient. Painkillers worked faster.
To avoid showing pain in Padme's presence he dosed himself liberally with them every morning. This made his limp less obvious, but after a full day of walking they rarely lasted until he got home. He usually took another dose shortly before arrival.
Simple rest would have been a better long-term solution, of course. Anakin knew this. He simply felt he couldn't afford to rest. He needed something to do...not only to provide for Padme and the children, but to keep from going crazy.
Anakin braced one hand on Artoo's dome and tried to shake the ache out his knee. When putting his foot down brought another spurt of pain, he finally grimaced and sat down on the grass to roll up his pant leg and inspect the joint. It was swollen again. Anakin resolved to soak it in an ice bath before bed.
"I'm all right, Artoo," he insisted after the stubby astromech gave another worried whistle. "Just resting for a minute." Almost without thinking he reached into his pouch and found the bottle of pills.
His eyes widened and his heart raced when he saw it was empty. Shaking it and peering into it revealed nothing. The pills were gone.
Anakin blinked in surprise, then growled, crumpling the bottle in his fist. He wasn't one to curse but showed his anger in pitching the empty bottle as far as it would go. Then he sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. Why did I do that? Jedi don't use painkillers. Jedi don't need to use anything for healing except the Force. The young man looked to his knee again with a deep frown. He could almost see the swollen joint throbbing. I'm not a Jedi. Grimacing, he rolled his pant leg back down and rubbed his eyes. I'll just have to put up with it until I get home.
Artoo whistled another question.
"No, Artoo," sighed Anakin. "It's nothing..." No one knew that Anakin had been taking fairly large amounts of painkillers. Not even Padme knew. If Artoo found out, he would likely spout it to Threepio, who in turn would tell Padme. That wouldn't do at all. She worried too much about him already.
Anakin sat quietly for a few short minutes, slowing his breathing and by extension his heart rate. For a moment he could feel the Force surrounding him again as it had when he was a young Padawan. Then it was a friend, bringing security and comfort. Though his strength in the Force had increased with age and training, his trust in it had wavered. No longer was it always a warm blanket. Sometimes it was a dagger of ice digging into his heart and making his blood run cold, as when he was angry. Such times gave him more power than he had ever dreamed of. The feeling at once delighted and frightened him...and he always regretted it later. Lately Anakin had stopped using the Force as often as he had before.
After all, it was the Force bringing his nightmares.
Three minutes had passed. The pain had deadened a little...enough to ignore for a while. Anakin rose to his feet, brushed off his trousers, and set his eyes on the faraway speck that was his house. He smiled upon thinking of Padme and wondered what she was doing just then. Whatever it is, it can wait. "Come on, Artoo," he told his droid, giving the blue dome a fond pat. "Let's go home."
Artoo gave a quick whistle of agreement and rolled off through the grass beside his master.
《-v-》 《-v-》 《-v-》
It began as a simple knock at the door...but even then, the familiar presence gave it away before Threepio had gone to see who it was. Now the door was open. Anakin's head spun so fast that he was afraid it might pop off entirely. He didn't even know what to think, let alone what to do. He had only come home ten minutes before and had barely had a chance to tell Padme his news and sit down.
It was Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan was standing in his doorway, hands buried in the sleeves of his robe against the chilly wind, looking at him with a combination of eagerness and uncertainty. "Hello, Anakin."
What's he doing here? Anakin wanted to know. How did he find us? What does he want? Protectively he slung his arm across Padme's shoulders as they stood in the entryway. But that suspicious nature was soon overwhelmed by feelings of both elation and guilt. My friend...my best friend...is he angry with me? Can I tell him I'm sorry? "Obi-Wan..." He cleared his throat and stepped aside when he noticed that Padme was rubbing her arms. "Would...you like to come in?"
Obi-Wan seemed relieved as he stepped inside. "Thank you. I apologize for dropping in unannounced."
Padme, who was more than happy to see him, smiled. "Oh, that's all right. It's so good to see you. Won't you sit down?"
Obi-Wan shook his head apologetically. "No, thank you. I'm afraid I must keep this brief and haven't much time to visit."
Anakin stood shifting his weight off his sore leg. "How did you find us?"
"I asked a few questions. Apparently there aren't many Skywalkers outside Tatooine," explained Obi-Wan.
"There aren't any Skywalkers outside Tatooine," said Anakin, briefly wondering if he should have changed his name. "What brings you to Naboo?"
"I was looking for you." Obi-Wan's gaze was as it always had been...steady, patient, and without accusation. There was hurt, and a desperate desire not to show it. His eyes alone spoke volumes.
Anakin stared uncomfortably at his feet. "I...Obi-Wan, I owe you an apology." When Obi-Wan's only reply was to raise his eyebrows, Anakin continued. "The way I left...the things I said...I was confused...angry...I took it out on you, and that was wrong. I'm sorry."
Obi-Wan's face went from patience and worry to a slow, pleasant, relieved smile. "I know, Anakin. In fact I feel as if I should be apologizing to you."
Anakin was perplexed. The great Kenobi is going to admit he was wrong? This sour, selfish remark was quickly discarded in favor of friendship. "For what?"
Obi-Wan looked humble. "I feel as though I have failed you as both a friend and a master...that your leaving the Jedi Order was my fault. In the thirteen years we fought side by side, I had come to think of you as a brother, and your leaving-" he sighed and shook his head. "Anakin, I'm sorry. Will you forgive me?" Sincerity was written on Obi-Wan's face. There was nothing to doubt.
Anakin was touched. He had never before heard Obi-Wan speak of him in such a manner. To call him strong and wise was one thing, but...his brother? Many times over the last decade he wondered if Obi-Wan had only trained him out of an obligation to Qui-Gon...if he cared. There had been a close comradeship since the Clone Wars began, but that had grown increasingly strained since Anakin's defeat of Count Dooku. The young man found his throat closing as he took Obi-Wan's arm. "Forgive you?" With his other free hand he reached out and took Obi-Wan's shoulder, giving it a squeeze. As he couldn't speak without crying, he only nodded and gave a watery-eyed smile before pulling his friend into a brief embrace. "It's good to see you, Obi-Wan."
Obi-Wan chuckled and gave Anakin's shoulder a light slap. "It's good to see you, too, Anakin."
"Can I get you something to drink?" offered Anakin.
"No, I'm afraid not. As I said, I'm rather short on time." Obi-Wan regarded both Anakin and Padme. "You've both heard of the assassination attempt on Chancellor Organa?"
"Yes, it's terrible. I've been so worried. Will he be all right?" asked Padme anxiously. Bail Organa had been one of her few close friends in the senate.
"Yes...but disturbing things have come to light about the attempted assassins; his and those who have gone after the Senators. Apparently every one of them were clones," explained Obi-Wan.
"Clones?" asked Anakin in disbelief. "It can't be. They fought alongside us...why would they betray the Republic?"
Obi-Wan grimaced. "Apparently they were not fully in control of their actions. The one thread that connects all of this is something called 'Order Sixty-Four'. I've been asked by the Council to go to Kamino to investigate the cloning facilities."
Anakin narrowed his eyes. "You think the Kaminoans are behind it?"
The older man shrugged. "Honestly I don't know what to think. But I cannot carry out this investigation on my own. I'm going to need help. The Jedi are stretched terribly thin because of the war, and-"
Not again. "Obi-Wan, you know I can't go back," groaned Anakin.
"Let me finish. I wanted to ask for your help because you are the only one available that I trust with my life."
"It's dangerous?"
"Possibly."
Anakin was torn. Immediately his gaze traveled to Padme and her swollen belly. It's too close... who's going to look after her? He shook his head. "No, I can't. Not now."
Padme frowned. "Why not, Ani?" While she had tensed at the word 'dangerous', she appeared to be all in favor of Anakin's going out on a mission again.
Anakin turned back to his wife. "I can't leave you here all alone."
Padme lifted an eyebrow. "Anakin...I may be eight months pregnant, but I can take care of myself. My family is close by if I need them. Besides, I wouldn't be alone. Threepio will be here."
A lot of good he'd do. Anakin shook his head and took her hands in his. "What about those assassins? There'd be no one to protect you."
Obi-Wan looked from Anakin to Padme, feeing awkward. He cleared his throat. "The Council is fairly certain that the clones are the only assassins. There aren't any clones within six parsecs of here. And orbital security is screening all incoming ships. The sooner these assassinations are stopped, the safer she will be. So your leaving would really be better than your staying behind," he pointed out.
Padme nodded in satisfaction. "See? I'll be fine."
Anakin wanted to keep arguing...he wanted to point out exactly why they were wrong and he was right...but he couldn't think of anything logical to say. All that worried him was his nightmare. He gave a plaintive look to Padme. "Are you trying to get rid of me?"
Padme held his hands. "No. But if Obi-Wan needs help, then I think you should go. He's your friend."
Helplessly Anakin looked from wife to friend, wondering what to do. A part of him wanted to know the excitement and danger of going on a mission again...it wanted to patch up his rocky friendship with Obi-Wan. After more than a minute of indecision he bit his lip. "You promise to check in so I know you're all right?" he asked his love.
Padme smile. "Ani, of course I will."
After looking from her to Obi-Wan a few more times, Anakin let out a heavy sigh...and nodded. "All right...but I can't be away for long."
Obi-Wan's response was a relieved sigh of his own. "Thank you, Anakin. I appreciate your help."
A/N: On the previous chapter, I didn't mean for the Council's suggestion that Obi-Wan take a green Initiate along to make them look stupid. They trust Obi-Wan's judgment that he would pick a good match who is ready for field work. It's basically an attitude of dependability over experience.
