Disclaimer: Disney owns Star Wars, not me. All the characters and places (except for my OC Analise Joy) belong to them.

"aaaa"-talking out loud."aaaa"-talking through a holo or com. 'aaaaa'-inner thoughts. aaaaa-talking through a Bond

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Chapter Twenty-Five

"I believe that Palpatine had something to do with Analise's kidnapping." Anakin's statement was bold and the young man hitched his shoulders a little expecting some sort of scolding. Palpatine was the Supreme Chancellor after all and the majority opinion was that he was a good Chancellor.

Part of him, a very small part felt guilty for thinking that Palpatine could have anything to do with Dooku taking Analise away from him and Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon. Another part of though, the Force urged Anakin to follow his instincts. That Palpatine wasn't that great of a man as he seemed and was more corrupt than he let on.

When none of the older Jedi spoke Anakin took a chance and plowed ahead. "I mean he called us and said that Analise never made it to his office, but she clearly did because we have the recording and her lightsaber was locked in his desk."

"Which you picked open with the Force." Mace crossed his arms and his stern gaze made Anakin squirm.

"Yes, but I wasn't about to leave Ana's lightsaber there!" he declared hotly. "Our lightsabers are our lives...and she doesn't have her's. I don't trust anyone else with her lightsaber except for us." His sky-blue eyes darted to his Master in whose hands were his twin's saber.

Other than himself, Da, and Yoda; Anakin couldn't imagine anyone else he would trust more to hold onto Analise's lightsaber than Obi-Wan. His Master was staying so quiet, so still as turmoil rolled within him. Anakin was trying to squash down the turmoil that was bubbling inside him, hoping that if he stayed calm, perhaps it would keep Obi-Wan calm. He edged closed to Obi-Wan, offering what comfort he could by reaching out through the Force to hug their Bond. A gentle squeeze assured him.

Obi-Wan was fine. For now. Just like him.

"Dooku would have only been able to get into the office if he had forced his way in or been let it. Since the Chancellor called us after the fact, I think Palpatine let Dooku in."

"Grandfather he called himself." All eyes, except for Obi-Wan's turned to Yoda. The Grand Master's hands were tight on his gimer stick that lay across his lap. "Key I think is that." Mace nodded.

"The bounty hunter Mur did tell Analise that her grandfather wanted him. Maybe that's how Dooku convinced Palpatine to help him." The Master frowned. "What could Dooku have offered though that could have gotten the Chancellor's agreement?"

Qui-Gon stood and started to pace. A sign of just how wound-up the Grey Jedi was. "It would get my daughter out of the way."

"Qui-Gon..."

"No Mace. Ever since Ana arrived and their first meeting, Palpatine has made it clear that he does not like her. He hides it, but you can still see it in how he looks and talks to her. You heard it on the com. He hates her!"

"Because of me." Anakin's shoulders slumped. "Before Analise came, I spent so much time with the Chancellor. I thought he was the best person in the galaxy next to Da and Obi-Wan. After she came though, it was like a veil was lifted from my eyes. Suddenly I realized that Palpatine wasn't that great. In fact he was kind of...dark."

"And the Chancellor knows that you are strong in the Force and will be a powerful Jedi one day." Plo nodded. "He wants to control that power, but as long as Analise is here, she serves as your mirror. She can see the Darkness in those who want to hide it."

"Like Palpatine."

"Two options there are about why Palpatine acted this way."

"Dooku approached Palpatine using his past as Jedi and convinced the Chancellor he simply wanted to connect with his former Padawan's daughter, his granddaughter as it were. He doesn't know that Dooku is a Sith or that he would bring his Master. Just that it would get Analise away from Anakin."

"Or Palpatine is in alliance with the Sith because it will help gain more power, more control of the galaxy. In that case he knows about the Sun and the Moon Prophecy and knows that in order for the Sith to win..." Obi-Wan didn't need to finish his statement. Anakin frowned and took a seat by his Master, reaching for him through the Force.

Don't worry Master. We'll get Ana back.

"No proof we have." Yoda's head dropped. It suddenly seemed as though the Grand Master of the Jedi Order was burden with a great weight. A weight he did not want others to shoulder. "Until proof we have, move against the Chancellor we cannot."