Chapter 10

Anakin stepped back into the council chamber with long, sure strides and stood in the exact center of the circle on the floor. He looked at Mace Windu once and then pointedly turned his face to Master Yoda. He chose his words deliberately, as if they were the only two beings in the room. "Obi-Wan tells me you wished to speak with me, Master Yoda."

Anakin ignored the ripple of resentment that was quickly masked by the other Masters, including the flare of anger he felt from Mace. He felt amusement from both Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon and was peevishly glad he had some allies in the room.

Yoda regarded him shrewdly. "Dangerous anger is, Anakin."

"You can thank your Master Windu for encouraging it." Anakin delivered that piece of news with as level a tone as he could. He was somewhat proud of the fact his voice didn't shake. He did notice the effect it had on the Jedi Masters; he felt the ripples it caused and the confusion. He wondered what lies the Jedi Master had been telling his comrades. "I had plenty of time while my Master Watto beat me to curse Jedi everywhere and plot revenge."

If he'd wanted to shock them, he'd succeeded. Even Mace, the man who'd left him in slavery, looked slightly sick.

Yoda appeared to be the only Master unaffected. "So sure, are you, that the actions of Master Windu placed you in harm's way?"

Anakin smiled bitterly. "You tell me, Master Yoda. Until the Boonta Eve classic I hadn't won a single high-stakes pod race - an occupation Mace Windu suggested to my employer because of my reflexes. Every time I lost, every time I wrecked my pod, Watto lashed me. Fifty lashes for each lap not completed."

"Proof have you?"

Anakin glared at the green alien. "The word of a former slave isn't good enough, huh?" His words were bitter.

"Your former status have no bearing here, young man," one of the female Masters told him, a graceful looking creature with striped head tails that reached over her head and down her chest. "We are simply interested in the truth."

"Spare me," Anakin told her shortly. "Everyone needs proof from a slave." He reached one hand back and grabbed the collar of his shirt behind his head, yanking it forward to expose his upper torso. The shirt came off with ease - he wore it loose to prevent it from irritating his back - and held it in one hand.

The silence was electric, damning, and Anakin dared them to comment. He turned in place, meeting each of their gazes until they looked away, unable to meet his piercing stare. A testament to the damage Watto had done.

"Force, Anakin!"

Anakin met Obi-Wan horrified gaze but couldn't sustain it, and instead turned to the next Master as he pushed the sympathy he saw in his friend's gaze from his mind. He saw his reflection; he knew what he looked like. His fresh welts - the ones from just a week before - still hadn't healed. His back was a criss-cross of old scar tissue, some reaching around to disappear under the fall of his arms. In the center of his chest was an almost diamond shaped scar where Watto's talons had pressed deep enough to wound, but not deep enough to maim. Watto had never, ever maimed - it wasn't good for business. Anakin finished his slow turn with Mace, who looked distinctly uncomfortable and couldn't meet his gaze. He laughed bitterly into the silence. "Proof enough for you, Master Jedi?"

"Your point you make, young Skywalker." Yoda's tone was even, peaceful. "Your story we must hear."

Anakin shook his head. "Judge me on what you see, Master. You've seen proof of my suffering, you saw my reaction when I encountered Kam- Mace again. I will agree to speak with you of my unique abilities but I will not share with you my past."

"Put your shirt on."

Anakin glanced at Mace. "Don't like to look at the fruit of your labors, Master Jedi?" His tone made the title an insult.

"Anakin."

Anakin glanced at Qui-Gon, noting the firm set of his lips and the reproach in his gaze. It wasn't without compassion but his message was clear. Anakin had made his point. Anakin conceded with a tilt of his head and shrugged the shirt back on, covering the scars. He ran a hand through his tussled hair before letting them fall back to his sides. He waited, knowing the Jedi would ask their questions.

Finally the same alien woman who'd spoken before spoke again. "Master Jinn has informed us of your unusual ability to see futures, young man." Her words were carefully chosen and delivered in a calm, soothing tone. "We are at an impasse as to if this is a beneficial gift or one fraught with much danger."

"Both." Anakin told her with a tilt of his lips.

"Does it place you in peril?"

Anakin chuckled and gestured to Mace. "You all saw the aftermath of one such vision. I was weak as a newborn baby and couldn't control my trembling."

"This happens every time?"

"It depends on the... the sense behind the vision, Lady Jedi."

She inclined her head, as if in apology. "Master Shaak Ti."

Anakin smiled, mimicking the gesture. "Did you have any other questions, Master Shaak Ti?"

"A few," she conceded. "We all have questions. I would like you to explain what you mean by your answer to if this is a good gift or a dangerous one. Why did you reply as you did?"

Anakin shrugged, feeling Qui-Gon's gaze on him as he spoke with the female Jedi, and tried not to squirm. "I answered as I did because my mother taught me that telling the truth is the right thing to do. I believe as I do because I have seen both good and evil come of my visions. I have seen the dangerous, most likely paths people will tread. Your... Your Master Windu for example."

"You saw his future?"

Anakin glanced back to Mace, keeping an eye on his reactions from the corner of his eye. "We were playing a game of chance, one that involved both skill and speed. He insisted I remove my gloves to lessen the temptation to cheat. No one, even offworlders, believe a slave will play fair." He smiled sourly. "During the match he grabbed my hand and forced my fingers open to check if I was cheating. I saw his failure."

"In what?"

"I saw him fail on his quest to become a Jedi Knight."

"This has obviously not happened." Came the voice of another Master. "How do we know that your vision is of use if such a radical shift has occurred?"

Anakin turned towards the stuffy, dictative Master. "Mace reached a crossroad after our encounter. I saw the future he was most likely to follow based on his actions thus far. I saw a shimmer of a different future, one that could be reached only if he chose to look at himself and fought to change the darkness in himself. It was unlikely, but it was there. Mace has chosen, obviously, the least likely path he could have followed."

"Always in motion, the future is." Yoda told the Council firmly. "A gift young Skywalker has, rare it is, for a Jedi to see futures by touch."

"Don't forget his midichlorien count, Master Yoda," Obi-Wan spoke up bravely. "It's even higher than yours."

"Hmmm," Yoda stroked his chin, watching Anakin with a carefully neutral expression. "Powerful you are, Anakin, but untrained."

"I've no desire to be a Jedi even if I could be trained." Anakin told him flatly.

"A responsibility you have, to those who would rely on you for protection, yes?"

"There is no one."

"Of Queen Amidala, I speak."

Anakin managed not to blush at the mention of her name. "I don't require Jedi training to protect her when she returns to her world, Master Yoda. I won't even be on the planet." He proceeded to explain where he'd be with great detail, drawing a grudging respect from some of the more skeptical Masters. He finished. "The Queen will be after the viceroy. Those with her won't be Jedi."

Yoda cocked his head. "Know this do you?"

Anakin's gaze met Qui-Gon's and he saw the slight nod of permission. He took a deep breath. "Did Qui-Gon explain about the Sith we ran into on Tatooine?"

The nod was both a confirmation and an encouragement.

Anakin forged ahead. "Someone will learn that the Queen returns to Naboo to free her people. I don't know who; I've never encountered them. I do know that the same Sith will be waiting when we arrive. He will challenge Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan with a double bladed red lightsaber. He… He'll-" He faltered and stopped, his gaze catching the shocked expression on Obi-Wan's face. He couldn't do it. He couldn't tell the council and his new friend that Qui-Gon, the stoic, wise man who was the calm at the center of a storm would die.

"More to tell have you, I sense."

"I'd rather not, Master Yoda."

"He's seen my death," Qui-Gon's words were spoken matter-of-factly. "At the hands of this Sith."

"No!"

Anakin turned his full gaze on Obi-Wan's aghast expression. The shock and surprise the individual Masters were feeling wasn't so easily masked this time. But Anakin couldn't catch Obi-Wan's eye because his friend's gaze was glued to his Master. There was nothing Anakin could do but confirm it. He swallowed hard. "I'm afraid he's telling the truth Obi-Wan. The Sith will kill him."

"And me?" Obi-Wan demanded. "Will the Sith kill me too?"

"I don't know."

"A possible future this is," Yoda interjected. "But disturbing. A strong Jedi is Master Jinn and powerful with his lightsaber."

"It won't matter." Anakin knew he sounded bleak. "Unless he refuses to fight the Sith, Master Jinn will die."

"And if we sent another pair of Jedi in their stead?"

Anakin turned to face the aristocratic voice that spoke the suggestion. His smile was bitter. "You won't. If you did, the Nabooians would fail and the Trade Federation would gain complete control of the world. You'd be condemning them to virtual slavery to save a single Jedi Knight."

"What if we send additional Knights?" This from Mace. "A pair of Masters to help with the Sith."

Anakin looked at the dark-skinned man curiously, as if for the first time. "It's not one of the possibilities I foresaw. It's possible one of them may be killed instead of Master Jinn - or that he may die anyway."

"What know you of this Sith, Anakin?"

"I didn't touch him," his reply was almost apologetic. "But I do know, from what I saw on Tatooine and what I've seen in Qui-Gon's future, is that this Sith is a highly trained fighter - a lightsaber master. His blade is double-bladed and, from what the visions revealed, he is capable of not only defending against two Jedi, but taking the offensive. He uses the Force," Anakin rubbed his forehead as if to stimulate his brain. "But I don't know to what degree."

"Knowledge this is." Yoda replied approvingly. "A way to prepare for this confrontation and, perhaps, avoid the outcome. Master Windu, accompany them you will."

Anakin objected immediately. "I don't think-"

Shaak Ti cut him off. "Knight Luminara's skills compliment Obi-Wan's."

Obi-Wan started this time. "I don't think-"

Qui-Gon cut his Padawan off. "With respect, Masters, who are we to question the will of the Force."

"Master!"

Anakin met Qui-Gon's gaze. He saw a spark of dark humor and determination to match his own. Qui-Gon didn't want to die, but he didn't want anyone else dying in his place either. Qui-Gon continued. "Another pair of Jedi to assist the Queen would likely be graciously accepted. Her protection is paramount."

"She can protect herself." Anakin said softly. "No offence, but she doesn't need more Jedi protectors."

Qui-Gon's chuckle broke a suddenly brittle silence. "Anakin is quite right. The Queen is familiar with Obi-Wan and myself and she trusts us. Another pair of Jedi may inadvertently tip the balance or prevent something from happening that is essential for us to succeed."

"I cannot accept that your death is a necessary price to free Naboo." This from Shaak Ti.

Anakin swallowed hard, a sudden inspiration almost making him dizzy. "Qui-Gon?"

"Yes, Anakin?"

"What if... what if the council makes the decision to send other Jedi and... and I see if the future's been changed?"

Qui-Gon was immediately shaking his head. "You wouldn't know Naboo's fate without including the Queen as one of the futures you read."

"She should be out of session by now." Obi-Wan offered. "I could go get her."

"A recess," Yoda told them by way of agreement. "Until join us, Queen Amidala can."

There was no more to say as Obi-Wan exited the room, Anakin on his heels. Anakin grabbed Obi-Wan's shoulder and stopped him out of range of the council chamber. "Just remember to grab the right Queen."

Obi-Wan's smile was faint. "I have the easy job. You might want to prepare yourself for this - it's not going to be easy."

"It never is."

--

Obi-Wan returned less than an hour later with Padmé, dressed as the Queen, and her bodyguards in tow. The decoys, especially the head decoy Sabé, were still whispering furiously about foolishness and unnecessary risks when they entered the antechamber to the Jedi Council.

Anakin was sitting on the bench under the window, and had been resting - as close as he ever came to meditation - when the whisper of their skirts brought his eyes open with a snap. Padmé was barely recognizable under the makeup of her station and it wasn't until he caught her gaze he was sure, really sure, that it truly was Padmé. When those soft brown eyes met his full of pain and sorrow, he felt the immediate urge to comfort her. And the next immediate response was a flush because he knew how awkward he'd look trying to comfort the monarch of a people he'd never met.

He hadn't expected her to be so unapproachable in her official capacity. True, he'd seen her half dressed as the Queen, but that was nothing compared to the cool persona in front of him. He bowed awkwardly, drawing a giggle from one of the handmaidens. "Thank you for coming, your majesty."

"Obi-Wan tells me they are considering adding more Jedi to our party."

Anakin flinched. "Only if the future for your planet isn't sacrificed for it, milady."

"It had better not be."

Anakin looked away uncomfortably. He could feel Sabé's dark eyes boring into him, skeptical of what she'd heard. The door to the council chamber opened the Qui-Gon emerged once more. "We will see you now."

Padmé spoke something to Sabé and the handmaiden frowned, shaking her head. Anakin saw Padmé's eyes narrow and overhead her next comment. "I am perfectly safe in a room full of Jedi Masters!"

He resisted the urge to chuckle as her argument was won and the handmaidens waited as she crossed with Obi-Wan to the door, Anakin joining them with long strides.

They entered the council chamber and stopped. Anakin blinked. The comfortable chairs were gone. In their places were large, round stool-like divans which each held two Jedi Masters. Mace and Yoda shared the one directly across from the door and the rest spread out in complete circle, as if to encompass the circle on the floor. All but one was occupied. Qui-Gon led them to the center and turned to Obi-Wan, pointing to the divan without a Master.

Obi-Wan seated himself and then Qui-Gon joined him, leaving Anakin and Padmé standing in the center of the room. Qui-Gon met Padmé's gaze, but Anakin knew the words were for him. "We are going to send additional Jedi Knights with you to Naboo, Your Highness. These Jedi are to guard you when my apprentice and I are called away on Jedi business."

Padmé frowned; opening her mouth to object, but Anakin placed his hand on her arm. "Just listen," he murmured.

She closed her mouth.

The Jedi continued. "Force willing, these Jedi will succeed in lending their assistance to the liberation of Naboo and your safety. Anakin."

Anakin nodded, removing his gloves and tucking them into his waist band before holding his hands out to Padmé. She stared at him, not understanding. He smiled faintly. "It's alright," he told her softly. "We just want to see if this will work."

Understanding dawned in her eyes and she shook her head, folding her hands behind her back. "No, Anakin. I can't do that to you."

Anakin searched her gaze, begging her silently to trust him even as his hands fell slowly back to his sides. "This is my choice, Padmé. They're not making me do it. I just want to know if, by changing the players involved, we have the same chance of success."

"In no danger will Skywalker be," assured Yoda from one side of the circle. "Control the visions we can. Help understand them, yes?"

Padmé shook her head again, her knuckles turning white as she clenched them tighter. "It's not right."

"Padmé," Anakin stepped closer to her, ignoring their audience. He searched her expression slowly, looking for the source of her reluctance. "If you had the chance to prevent the death of a friend, would you take it?"

Her gaze was guardedly curious. "Of course I would."

"Then help me see if changing this aspect of the future will save Master Jinn's life."

She jerked as if he'd struck her, her hands falling to her side. She turned, meeting the gaze of the Jedi in question and Qui-Gon simply nodded, confirming Anakin's dire prediction. She shook her head in mute denial, disbelieving the prediction. "You can't be sure."

"I've seen it," Anakin assured her. "I wish I hadn't. If we continue as we have and return to Naboo, Qui-Gon will die."

"Then we'll delay."

"It won't help."

"You can't know that."

Anakin sighed. "Padmé. The danger waiting on Naboo is a dark, Force related danger. It's one that can't be put off or ignored. It must be faced; we simply need to know if meeting that danger means a Jedi sacrifice."

She shuddered, and there was no mistaking her fear despite her delicate control. "So the price now is having your whole universe turned inside out while the Force shows you a possible future? There has to be another way."

"Not a quick one. I volunteered for this, Padmé. It's alright, I promise."

Padmé glanced around at their audience before her gaze met his again and he could see how much it hurt her to know that she'd be hurting him. "Are you sure?"

He nodded. There was little more he could say if that didn't sway her.

She took her time, looking around the carefully prepared circle of Jedi from start to finish. When her eyes met his once more they were shadowed by regret, but Anakin knew he'd won. "Alright, I'll do it."

Anakin found a smile for her and extended his hands again.

Padmé's gaze lingered on them for long moments before she slowly lifted her own. Anakin could feel her gaze on his face as her fingers slid between his. He lifted his eyes to meet hers, their gazes locking when suddenly, almost violently, Anakin was driven to his knees with the force of the visions.

The Jedi surrounding him acted as anchors and controls, manipulating the images to be shown only those things which they wanted to see. They watched dispassionately as they slowed the images, giving them an almost ghost-like substance as they rose to fill the room and show the future to those watching.

Anakin was barely conscious of Padmé's eyes widening as she looked beyond his shoulder, suddenly privy to actions she hadn't yet taken. Privy to the knowledge of the future. Knowledge that, in itself, might change the events and possible outcomes.

The Force sung through his veins, racing like hot magma and burning the images into his mind. He felt himself losing control, slipping into that void to be caught up in the images-

And something yanked him back. He never knew what, for the mental bombardment continued, blocking out any and all focus except that of the hands holding his. She was his life-line despite the images swirling about them.

Anakin never knew how long it continued. It could have been moments, or minutes, or it could have been hours. He was barely coherent when Padmé was finally told to pull away from him. Qui-Gon rose, breaking the chain, and moved to Anakin's side as Padmé reluctantly slid her hands free. Anakin didn't register the sudden change as his mind slipped from consciousness into oblivion.