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Just one more chapter to go.

One of my other stories will tie into this story and its universe. It's Nine Words. An alternate universe on Count Dooku's death. And don't worry, if one has not read, one can still understand and enjoy this chapter. However if one wants to read it really quick, one can. It's only about 1,000 words longs.

Chapter Ten

A Tale of Truth

"Well, we uh...Pad-Senator Amidala and I...are married." Anakin Skywalker had just said.

The young Jedi Knight took a deep and continued, "We married after Geonosis a few years ago." Amazing, Anakin Skywalker, also known as the Hero with No Fear could not bring himself to say the words to Obi-Wan. His wife had to do it...looking back it made Anakin feel like such a coward. Hero with No Fear? What a joke.

The chamber was incredibly quiet for a few moments. The chamber had not experienced such silence since before the Clone Wars. Possibly even longer.

Anakin waited. Using his skills he sensed...he didn't sense anything. Not even their surprise. Well, perhaps a little. Anakin noticed a few widened eyes. And most- besides Obi-Wan seemed to be...thinking. He assumed.

Perhaps they were simply surprised that he was finally admitting it. Anakin wondered if they suspected. Perhaps. Since Obi-Wan had...expressed how he had covered and lied for them.

Also they were putting the last pieces of the puzzle together. What- more precisely who Palpatine was using to bait- seduce Anakin towards the Dark Side.

Finally, Shaak Ti said or asked, "And the Senator was how Palpatine almost lured you towards the Dark Side."

Here it comes, Anakin wanted to groan.

"Among many things," Anakin replied. "Yes."

"Such as?" Mace Windu raised a brow.

"Does it make a difference?" Anakin didn't' think so. He was still expelled. Anakin desperately wanted to gaze out the window onto 500 Republica. Couldn't he just...be on his way?

"Hm," The holographic Yoda gestured with his holographic gimer stick. "Make a difference to me, it does," said the ancient and mysterious Jedi on Kashyyyk.

"Not only the chance to be with her in public but," Anakin said. He paused for a moment.

There were many other reasons why Anakin wanted to take Palpatine's rather tempting offer.

Power.

Respect.

And many other voids the Jedi Order could never fulfill for Anakin.

Anakin had never quite felt like he belonged here. He wasn't particular close to any of the other Padawans in his youth. Other than Obi-Wan or the...Chancellor, he had few friends. He felt few- if any of the Masters actually liked or respected him. Anakin had long deserved to receive Mastery and a spot on the Council. But he had been denied the right for so long. And a more recent example was not being able to go to the Utapau system. To deal with General Grievous.

But Anakin wasn't about to go and whine about always felt left out. Or the lack of respect and power he had rarely received. They weren't going to listen. They wouldn't understand. If they did...Anakin never would have felt this way.

Besides, it was going to matter now that he would soon be gone. Telling them really wasn't going to make any difference.

And one of the biggest and most important was, "The answer to my dreams." Anakin then explained how he began having dreams again. Like had before the war.

"These dreams," Obi-Wan began softly. Hurt Anakin did not confide in him. But then again, how was Anakin to tell him. Years ago, Obi-Wan told him "Dreams pass in time." Still, Obi-Wan felt a bit disappointed. "Something else implanted by the Sith?" Obi-Wan asked.

"No," Anakin replied in an uncertain tone. "Maybe," He could not be sure, "I think they were stemmed from my worst fears."

Anakin waited another moment. Odd. No one was shouting at him. Scolding him- telling how dangerous attachments were. As he had heard all the time during his thirteen years here. Or demanding his expulsion.

What was happening here? Were they not going to expel him after all?

A standard second later, Anakin had an idea. Of something that would surely get him expelled. After all, he did not want to continue to be their little pawn and poster boy.

Anakin decided he may as well tell them. First he would tell them about him. Then about them. While he was still here.

"There's more," Anakin said. Not about the Senator and himself, "But about Dooku."

This would surely get him expelled.

It got even quieter as Anakin then told them another tale.

A tale of truth.

Besides, Anakin supposed he had yet to turn in that report.

The report- the truth on how their former friend and Jedi turned Count actually died. Beginning with Obi-Wan's nap as his friend once put it. To when the Count's curbed blade landed in Anakin's hands. And finally when the blades in Anakin's hands went snip.

Anakin knew he would not get in any sort of legal trouble. Dooku was the leader of the Separatists Council. And Tatooine was not part- nor would it ever be part of the Republic.

Besides being free of them and everything. Anakin hoped telling the truth about these...events would set him free. Of any thought or guilt. Plus it would insure the Council's decision to permanently end his Jedi career.

Lately Anakin hated seeing the color red. It was...everywhere. In Palpa-in his office. It shined on Padmé's face the other night when he told her of his dream.

And it wasn't just the color that haunted him. But the weight of Dooku's curved glade. How light- then how heavy it felt. The synthetic blade shinning on Dooku's face. His lips opening to say...something. What was it he had tried to say? Then Dooku couldn't say anything.

Again, no one dared speak for several long moments.

Finally, the Korun Jedi was the first to speak. But not what Anakin expected to say. "Where was the," Master Windu almost said Chancellor, but caught himself. "Sidious during this?"

"He was still strapped-" Anakin realized that might not be true. Since Palpatine knew the ways of the Force. "He was still seated in his chair." Watching. Observing.

"And?" Master Windu pressed on. He sensed there was more. Nothing anymore was so black and white. Light and Dark. It was easy to forgot that very little was so clear.

"He was...encouraging me" Anakin now realized. "To end Dooku's life..." Anakin's eyes suddenly lit up and went right, left, and right again.

"Beware Skywalker," He quietly stated. "Treachery is the way of the Si-"

Anakin was completed...

Caught off guard.

Confused.

Why?

Why would Dooku...

But...

Anakin would have to sort that out later. "But that that doesn't matter." Dooku's final words or Palpatine's ulterior motives. "I still take full responsibility."

"Matters something does," Yoda said. "Remembered something you did, hm."

A few moments later, "Before he died," Anakin said. "Dooku said something. He tried to warn me about Palpatine"

Obi-Wan's brow up went up, "Dooku?"

Yoda's sealed eyes and long expression did not going unnoticed.

Anakin was just as surprised as the Masters, "Yes."

None of the Masters, nor Anakin had heard such silence in years.

Anakin was trying to speak of what actually happened on Tatooine. To the Sand People, after his mother died. But he couldn't find the words. They were still lodged in his throat and felt unable to free them.

Nor did he think it would matter, they were still going to throw him out.

And then Anakin Skywalker was proven right.

Finally one of the Council members spoke, Master Coleman Kcaj, "I make a motion to suspend him!"

Here it comes, Anakin quietly thought. Exactly what he expected. Which he was perfectly fine with. He had long accepted this day would one day come.

"He has just admitted to breaking several rules of the Code. On top of past violations," said Master Shaak Ti plainly stated. Including disregarding orders, reckless behavior, on top of many others, "Motion to expel him."

"Seconded," added Master Agen Kolar.

Yoda, Mace Windu, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Kit Fisto, Plo Koon, Ki-Adi-Mundi, Stass Allie, and Saesee Tiin remained silent and still.

Several of them also seemed somehow conflicted on the matter, Obi-Wan sensed.

"Did anyone else know of the marriage?" Plo Koon's deep voice asked. He had wanted to bring this up sooner, but wanted to hear what else young Skywalker had to say.

Stass Allie's curious indigo looked to "Obi-Wan?"

All eyes and senses were now on the bearded Master.

Obi-Wan closed his Stewjon blue eyes. He suddenly felt out numbered and surrounded. "I knew nothing of the marriage or offspring until this morning," he began.

For a moment, Anakin's eyes gazed unhappily towards Obi-Wan. Why did he have to tell them? Yes, there were rumors, but he would prefer there not to be confirmation.

Several of the Masters eyes lit up as the Stewjon Master said offspring. Both in enthusiasm and alarm. The thought of another with Skywalker's potential was on one hand- a bit intriguing. On the other- given his recent almost fall, the thought of another little Skywalker running around the Galaxy was also absolutely terrifying.

"But...I admit to already knowing they were more than friends." Obi-Wan finally admitted.

"As did I," said another. The bluish holo of Master Yoda.

All pairs of eyes and any other visuals were on the ancient Jedi.

Suddenly Obi-Wan started to feel like something had lifted off his shoulders. Not only for himself, but this could possibly help his former Padawan.

Anakin discreetly rolled his eyes. Not a surprise. Like many Jedi, he believed the little green Jedi knew everything. So it seemed...

"If the Masters are still preparing my expulsion," His tone was emotionless. "I am prepared to walk away."

"No," Master Windu said. "Not yet."

Anakin was surprised. What was happening here? If anyone was prepared to throw him out it would be Master Windu. He had been out to get him for some time. What was he up to? Perhaps he was waiting. To throw him out later. Make it more public. Yes, that was it.

"We have made exceptions in the past," Ki-Adi-Mundi pointed out.

"We also discussed those...exceptions very carefully," Mace replied.

"Agreed," Mace nodded. "We will take time to discuss this matter further." Now was not the time. Not with the war ending, the investigations, and the nominating of a new Chancellor.

"Hm," Yoda closed his eyes. "These matters, yes." Yoda may have already been away on Kashyyyk still, but somehow he seemed even further away.

"Until that time," said Saesee Tiin. The puzzled Iktotchi noticed Yoda's distant behavior. "I second the motion to suspend him." The one Master Coleman brought up earlier.

Anakin's eyes widened.

"Agreed," said Plo Koon.

"Fourth," said Stass Allie with a nod to her head and its Tholoth headdress.

Moments later, Coleman Kcaj's motion was unanimous. The only beings that did not vote were Anakin, Yoda, and Obi-Wan.

Anakin closed his darkened eyes, but not in anger. In confusion. In light of what he just told them. What were they doing? What were they thinking?

"Masters, while you meditate on this decision" "I will be off the capital for the next several weeks." Padmé was hoping and planning to leave the capital in the next few days.

Each of the Masters looked around. No one raised their hand in objection. Really now that he was suspended it didn't matter where he went. Plus, it actually sounded like a good idea for Anakin to get away from everything happening on the capital. Between the Senate committees, the media, and everyone else after him.

They didn't need to ask where he was going. Most had a pretty good idea.

"Very well," Mace said. "We will contact you when we reach our decision."

At long last and much to Anakin's relief, the meeting reached its conclusion. He quickly bowed and exited the chambers. Anakin didn't know how much more he could handle.

But Anakin wasn't free yet.

Less than five meters out of the Council Chambers, Anakin immediately realized he was being followed. By none other than his friend and former Master, Obi-Wan. Hopefully, still his friend.

"Master," Anakin said in an uncertain voice. He didn't call him by his first name. "I'm sorry, I failed you. I-"

"Anakin-" Obi-Wan tried to speak.

"Look I-" Anakin ran his finger through his hair. Once again, he tried to find the right words.

"Anakin," Obi-Wan tried to speak. His tone was calm and friendly. As was his expression. "Today, you faced some of the worst trials a Jedi could imagine." Facing the Dark Lord of the Sith. His fears for Padmé. Then facing another thing as frightening as the Sith- the Senate and its politics. Telling the truth- not an easy thing to do.

"I'm proud of you." In fact, Obi-Wan never been more proud of Anakin. "You are a true Jedi Master." Maybe not in title- not yet. Maybe someday. There was still hope on that front.

Obi-Wan then seemed relieved. "Now that there's nothing else between us-"

For a split second, Anakin's eyes looked away.

Which did not go unnoticed by Obi-Wan. Or was there? He thought. Obi-Wan's joy and relief faded. Replaced by sadness.

Now Obi-Wan was the one who couldn't find the right words. "I- I believe we'll..." He tried to recall what he was going to say. He couldn't. Those thoughts and words plagued by sadness.

"See each other soon," Anakin said. Finishing the sentence. Trying to get past any further awkwardness.

"Yes," Obi-Wan seemed relieved. "That we will." In a few standard weeks. Hopefully by the time Padmé was ready to return to Coruscant, the Council's decision would be made.

Anakin made a small bow with his head before he turned. "May the Force be with you."

"Goodbye for now my friend," Obi-Wan said. "May the Force be with you."

What else was there? What else could there be?

The relationship- the marriage was out in the open. The truth about Dooku- as far as Obi-Wan was concerned- was behind them.

Though Obi-Wan failed to understand why Anakin brought up Dooku when he did. Yes, Obi-Wan believed in honesty. Too much confession was not good for the soul. Not when one's way of life is on the line.

He supposed it didn't matter now. It was done. Nor was it the question he truly wanted an answer to. What was Anakin not telling him?

Obi-Wan lowered his head in defeat. He did not know.

Anakin felt...confused. Happy. Relief as he walked down the Jedi Temple hallway.

Confused that the Council didn't suspend him.

Happy that his goodbye with Obi-Wan went...better than expected. Anakin smiled. Better than Anakin could have imagined.

Relieved that he hadn't lost his friendship with Obi-Wan. Despite not being entirely truthful about one or two things. He did not know what he would do without him.

Somehow Anakin felt...free. But why?

Because he confessed how Dooku really died? Perhaps the old saying was true. The truth will set one free.

And yet, he did not. Because he didn't tell them about the Tusken Raiders? The Force? The Council or was it something else entirely?

Anakin shook his tired head as he walked down the hall. Through the Temple windows, the Coruscanti setting sun shined on him. He did not know.

Be honest, what do you think? About tying this story and its universe in with another story, Nine Words? The Council's decision?

I was worried Anakin was out of character, is he? Trying to get expelled? Telling them about Dooku and almost about the Tusken Raiders? And of his conversation with Obi-Wan?

Only two reviews last time. Come on, I know you guys are there. Please review!