Yikes. You guys seriously blew me out of the water with all the reviews you left! I didn't even know so many people read this story! Alright, so the winner or the votes is... Obi bargains for her life! Sorry for all you that wanted Anakin to kill her, but the majority of the reviews wanted her to live—80% of the votes. Sorry! I really hate disappointing you if you wanted that. Oh well. I hope you enjoy it anyway!

: Totally agree with you sister, (or brother—lol), rape is SO not good in this story.

Lilshady2123: Well then I shall!

Mobiobi: I completely see your point, I hate killing some characters too—some. One time I read this story where Obi-Wan had this injury or dises or something and he was going to die and Anakin had to kill him cause' he didn't want to see his love suffer. Totally left me in a depressed mood for the rest of the week. I really like the way you worded that "awful new control" part…might just put that in here somewhere (devious grin). I really like your idea about Ani's humanity. We'll see about that ;-)

Davis J: Hmmm…I like your point about Obi falling for him. Again, we'll see how generous I'm feeling towards them. Cliché pardoned (I didn't get it until like two days later. Right in the middle of English—OH I GE IT NOW! XD) I do enjoy a good domination, but not really good for this story. Maybe another time.

DreamBiggerDarlingAE: Lol yes there is going to be a slash scene. Sorry about not going along with your "kill her" plan. The reviews have spoken! But here, have a cyber-waffle for your troubles. ( )#. Of course he's gonna enjoy it—otherwise it'd be straight up rape…but you know…with consent. I don't know. Stop judging me! I'm not a lawyer! :-P

Michelle: OK, couple of things here. I LOVE that you put in like a whole other plot line here, and it's a good one too. It's just not what I have envisioned for the story. Sorry. Cyber waffle for you too ( )# But I do really like that part about how Obi-Wan is Anakin's and ONLY Anakin's…yes, that will do nicely for the slash scene ^.^

OracleBunny84: Again, I'm fairly certain you just described all their emotions in a few sentences better that I have in the entire story. LOVE the idea of Ani overhearing a conversation and using that to his advantage—LOVE IT! Just might have to use it…and of COURSE it's gonna have a happy ending. This is ME we're talking about. I hate unhappy endings.

AcousticHeart: Ugh, just NO! I would never have someone watching people have sex. That's just…ugh (shudder) thanks for bringing THAT up! ;-). I will do my best on the angst, but I'm not sure I know how to do any cruel humor with that type of…situation. I'll try.

Kissie-pants: 1st—awesome name. I just really like it. 2nd—naw, you don't sound like a pervert. Slash scenes are what make this world go round! Lol just kidding. I totally get the hating and resenting Anakin part, so I won't make it like rape. K?

Guest: I know, bargaining for goodies IS great, isn't it?

Guest 2: I won't kill you, I swear. And I'm sorry you don't like her—seriously, I am. Guess what? You get a cyber-waffle too! ( )$ oops, I put a money sign…you take cash? Again, sorry for not following through with killing her.

Mara-Jade Kenobi: I love your name too! But not to sound rude…I'm not exactly sure what you're asking. Sorry :-( I'll give you a waffle too ( )# But I don't think love will end up with them fighting each other…just my opinion, nothing personal or anything

Greysilhouette: True, true, Obi is noble like that. You're not horrible, you're correct—it probably will make for a better slash scene.

LilithDarkmoon: Ok, 1st, SERIOUSLY love your penmae too! :D it just sounds so mysterious…kinda like a fairy name :-) I shall not kill this poor girl. I swear it so…for not (mwahahahaha)

Kyer: Hmm, never thought of the whole "never trusting anyone again for fear they may die" concept. Interesting… I agree, Obi would shy away if Anakin killed her.

Aaannd…I'm pretty sure that's everybody. Sorry if I skipped you. Now, on to the main event! :D

Jari tread apprehensively into the darkened room, nervously playing with a head tail to calm her nerves. She wondered what Master Vader wanted with her; surely she hadn't done anything wrong? The Twi'lek knew from experience as a slave that if a master asked to talk to a slave in private, it was never a good thing.

She had been chatting amicably with Obi-Wan—supposed to be doing her chores, but the older man had been worried about Vader's behavior lately and needed someone to discuss it with—when one of the twins had come to fetch her. Temi—or had it been Taymi?—said Master Vader had wanted to talk to her. Jari and Obi-Wan had exchange worried glances at the urgent tone the boy used before the former followed Taymi—or perhaps it was Temi? Either way, the boy leading her had said to her in a low voice that Vader was not at all happy, and to watch out.

So here she was, standing in the middle of the entrance hall, surrounded by unnerving statues of former Sith staring down at her from the shadows, wondering where Master Vader was.

"Hello, Jari."

The Twi'lek shivered; it was just plain disturbing how he snuck up like that. Jari turned and bowed to the now visible Sith who was leaning against the wall. Vader nodded solemnly; Temi/Taymi had been right; he was in an irritable mood, with an expression that screamed, Don't get on my bad side.

"I'd like to talk with you for a moment," the frown was suddenly a smile, one that was decidedly as cold and unfriendly as the feral gleam in his eyes. He beckoned to her with one finger, "Come with me."

Jari silently followed her taciturn Master, confused and terrified as to where they were going. Vader lead her to one of the dark stairwells, a small soundproof room almost completely immersed in shadows. Jari stepped into the center of the room, waiting for Vader to speak. Suddenly, she felt as though an invisible hand was wrapped around her throat, cutting off her air. She gasped for air and choked. Her body rose into the air of its own accord, still being denied any air.

Vader stepped out from the shadows and tightened his grip just a bit, grinning in triumph as fury boiling the blood in his veins.

"You should have stayed away from him, Jari," he said menacingly, "You should have known better than to try to steal him."

"…s-sorry…" the girl gasped, desperately clawing at her throat in a futile effort to break the grip holding her. Vader gave a mirthless chuckle.

"It's too late for sorry now. I can't risk you taking him from me—you understand, what with your history as a pleasure slave." His fingers curled more tightly inward, and Jari made a strangled gasp as the invisible force pressed harder, "You know how Masters feel about others touching their property."

"…pl-please…!"

By now the lovely violet hue of the Twi'lek's skin had turned to an ugly, blotchy maroon. Her eyes were rolled back in her head and her limbs grew heavier and heavier, he frantic scrabbling slowing down to a weak scratch. Vader briefly entertained the gloating thought of how Obi-Wan surely would never love her now, what with her looking the way she did. The Sith enjoyed seeing the fear in her eyes; the desperate attempt to right her wrongs. Oh, he would have so much fun getting rid of her. And then there would be nothing to separate him from Obi-Wan. All he had to do was clench his hand into a fist. He could have just waited for the poor girl to simply run out of oxygen, or broken her neck like a brittle ma'aka worm and been done with her.

He could have, but he didn't.

Something stronger than himself was telling him no, that this was wrong. The Sith in him was saying, yes, do it, she's weak and deserves it. But the human part of him—the part that rationalized and thought ahead to the consequences of his actions, the part that knew some of this, if not all, was wrong told him not to. A dark sense of foreboding gnawed at his stomach, and for the first time, Vader wondered how Obi-Wan would feel if he carried out with his plan, and suddenly he knew that if he did, the mix of disgust and horror would push Obi-Wan even farther away.

But she's trying to take him away from you! The Sith voice protested in his mind, Let her live and there will be no chance for you to win his affections.

But kill her and you will only amplify the loathing he already feels for you.

Reluctantly, Vader released his grip on the Force and Jari fell to the floor, gasping for breath, shaking and retching. The Sith marched over to the trembling girl and hauled her up by the collar of her dress, making sure her frightened eyes were focused on him.

"I've decided to be merciful," he declared, "I've decided to let you go—once. Mark my words, you won't be so lucky next time."

Jari nodded vigorously, still sucking in lungfuls of life giving air like a dying Rodian mud eel.

Vader released her and she dropped, once again, to the cold stone ground. He straightened, eyes fixed on her as she slowly raised her eyes to his.

"You are not to meet with, speak to or even be near Obi-Wan ever again. If I found out you disobeyed me, well…you can guess what happens then." Adding the slightest tone of satisfaction to his threatening voice, Vader swept out of the room, black robe billowing out behind him as Jari shakily sat up and wrapped her arms around her knees, sobbing quietly, completely unaware that she was being watched.


"Just stay away from me!"

Obi-Wan blinked in shock as Jari stalked away. Force, all he'd done was ask how she was—he hadn't seen his friend in two days since Vader had asked for a chat; it almost seemed as though she was deliberately avoiding him. Next thing he knew, Jari was shrieking at him to never speak to her again. Obi-Wan couldn't fathom what he'd done to make her so angry…

Or what Vader had done.

Frowning in consternation, Obi-Wan bent down to clean up the shattered remains of an ornate sculpture Jari had broken in her rage. As he gathered the blood-red fragments, a second pair of hands began to help him. Obi-Wan looked up to see Jek, silently working across from him.

"Thanks."

Jek merely nodded, barely glancing up at him. Obi-Wan had never heard the other man utter a single word since his arrival. None of the other servants had heard him talk either; some of them even began to wonder if he could talk at all.

Obi-Wan felt a finger sharply tap his palm. Obi-Wan looked up to see Jek give him a quick, shifty glance, then swept his gaze around the room before returning to the pottery shards. He got the message; they were being watched, maybe by guards, maybe by cameras or perhaps Vader himself was stalking in the shadows. Obi-Wan continued working as if nothing had happened.

"It was Vader." Jek whispered without looking up. His voice was hoarse and rough, as if he hadn't used it for several years. He somehow managed to talk by barely moving his lips, "He threatened her—almost killed her with that damn Force or whatever it is."

Obi-Wan tensed in shock; what had Jari done to anger him? "Why?" he breathed through his teeth. Jek gave an almost imperceptible shake of his head.

"Said she was gettin' too close to you. He got real jealous, told her never get near you again. Said he'd kill her if she did."

Fighting down his disgust, Obi-Wan quietly thanked him, threw away the debris and walked off, shaking in anger.

He wasn't going to let Anakin get away with this. The damn Sith had gone too far this time.

OK, so sorry there's no slash scene—that's going to be the next chapter. Sorry! I'm super beat right now and wanted to update this weekend. I'll try for another one next weekend, or maybe this week depending on my schedule and overall interest in writing.

On a totally different topic, I've decided to have a "story of the week" thingamabober or whatever. Basically, every update I'll recommend a story to you guys that I think is really good. So, you've already heard me suggest Light In the Darkness by Mastofyaoi (seriously good read—eagerly awaiting an update *cough cough*) but also one time I decided to stalk around the people who've reviewed and completely fell in love with Unwilling to Bleed by Greysilhouette. REALLY GOOD! At first I wasn't sure because Anakin's a vampire, but you have GOT to read it!

Oh, and one more thing. Cje24576 has recently PMed me about a few stories that were deleted. So, if any of you know the author(s) of either My Savior, Don't Want to Say Goodbye or Forbidden Love, please contact cje24576 about it. They are all ObixAni slash fics (or so I've heard)

Thanks, and hope this chapter wasn't too disappointing.