The Jedi Change
Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars.
The conclusion draws near…
Chapter Twenty-Nine- Calm Before
Siri was thoughtful.
"You know…" she began, eyeing Anakin's cramped position in the chair. "I don't think I've ever known Anakin to get any sleep."
Padmé looked at her husband resting peacefully in the short chair between the bassinets. His large frame seemed to overwhelm the narrow seat. His long legs stretched out to the floor and crossed at his ankles. His arms were awkwardly folded against his chest, but the handsome features of his beloved face indicated that he was comfortable and content.
Padmé sighed dreamily. "I don't imagine you have been in situations with him where sleep was an option."
Siri reflected on their many adventures together and snorted her agreement. "Come to think of it…no. We take it when we can get it."
"Truth be told, Anakin has never slept much and when he does, it's usually…"
Knowing what Padmé was thinking, Siri shook her head and squeezed her hand. "That is over now, Padmé."
"You really believe that?"
"The only reason for Anakin to lose any sleep now will be those babies."
"I am not sure I will ever stop worrying about him."
"You won't. You love him, Padmé. The worrying comes with it, but…"
Siri looked back at Anakin, her expression soft. This morning with him and his family was the first time she had ever seen Anakin at peace, and the reality of it was glorious relief. This wonderful young man had not experienced anything resembling a normal life, even that of a Jedi, but that was changing. He could live freely with his wife without threat of condemnation, and together they would raise happy, healthy, and gifted children.
Siri sighed. "Stars know no two people have earned the right to joy more than you and Anakin, Padmé."
"How can I agree with that without sounding arrogant?" she teased.
Siri grinned. "Have the two of you given any thought to what you'll do now?"
"What do you mean?"
"I know the Council wants Anakin to remain with the Order, but what about you? What do you want to do?"
"The Queen hasn't asked me to step down from the Senate. I am on leave for now but once the trials of the Separatists begin, I am certain I will be recalled."
"And after the trials?"
"I have not thought that far ahead."
"Padmé…"
"Siri, I have dedicated my whole life to public service. I do not know what I would do if I were not representing Naboo in some capacity."
"Do you remember the conversation we had the day after I resigned my commission from the Jedi Order?"
Padmé paused. "Yes."
"You told me that you had been thinking about your sister and her family and how much you love Sola, what she has done with your nieces."
"Is there nothing your memory tosses aside?"
"No," Siri wickedly answered. "Look…All I am saying is you have your own family now, Padmé, and your future is wide-open. I know you love what you do in the Senate. The Jedi carries an appreciation for you, but you no longer require a cover. You don't have to live incognito any more."
"Siri, all I am concentrating on right now is mothering my children and looking forward to finally being able to spend time with my husband. Everything else is secondary."
"That is certainly fair."
When she said nothing more, curiosity and familiarity prompted Padmé to ask, "You, naturally, have an opinion. What are you thinking I should do?"
"Well, I thought you could start with your idea of spear-heading the Diplomatic Youth Corps. With your experience and credentials, you are more than qualified for the job. It is challenging and the subjects are something you have passion for…"
"My passion is Anakin."
Siri indicated the twins with her hands. "Obviously…"
"Siri!" she chided, laughing. "You know what I meant."
"Padmé, you have the opportunity now to have everything you have always wanted. You could have the best of both worlds—your family and the career you truly want. Luke and Leia will have the benefit of their father's experience. They should have the benefit of their mother's, too."
Padmé eyed her with mock skepticism. "You believe I should invite politics into a house with three Jedi in residence?"
"If for no other reason than that you are sorely outnumbered."
Padmé laughed again, and Siri continued, "If the last decade has shown me anything useful for that which I previously scorned, it is that policy is important. It should be authored and implemented by people who have a genuine concern for the welfare of all. People like you, Padmé. Future generations could learn a lot from you and Mon Mothma and Bail. You have a tremendous amount of experience in diplomacy and brilliant thought. They're coupled with your unequalled fairness. There should be more for the archives than the devastation left in…Palpatine's wake."
"Are you implying I leave a legacy?"
"You do not already know you have one?"
"You mean as the wife of the Chosen One."
Siri gazed at her, bewildered. "No. I mean the legacy you have made for the people of Naboo and the rest of the Republic. I mean your very existence, everything that you have done in the name of liberty and humanity. Do not belittle your own accomplishments, Padmé. You do yourself a great injustice. There has always been and forever will be more to you than being Anakin's wife and mother of his children."
"But I think that I can live with that and only that for a while, Siri." Padmé watched her husband stretch and mutter in his sleep.
She turned back to Siri. "And what of you?"
"What about me?"
"Siri…" Padmé sighed.
"What?"
"You and Obi-Wan. After all that has happened, haven't you given any thought to discussing with the Council your possible return to the Order?"
When Siri didn't answer, Padmé went on. "Your reasons for leaving no longer apply."
"Padmé, the topic of my marrying Obi-Wan has not been raised to Council. They may still disapprove."
"And if they do?"
Siri shrugged. "I suppose that is up to Obi-Wan."
They fell silent. Padmé thought about all she learned about her friend over the last few days. It was as if she could actually feel Siri erect a barrier between them.
"I am not the only one here who does not have to hide her feelings anymore, Siri," she said quietly. "You also have everything you have always wanted within your reach."
Siri's jaw hardened, but Padmé persisted. "Obi-Wan does love you, Siri. He wants his life to be with you. The Jedi…They will accept that. You must know that."
"Padmé…The Order has been stretched terribly thin these last few years. They would not want to lose Obi-Wan for a variety of reasons but…anticipating them to make special allowances…"
"You are afraid."
Siri reluctantly nodded, ashamed of it. "He came to see me before he left, and he said all the right things. But…"
"You're not certain he means it."
"Yes, I am," she replied quickly, looking her in the eyes. "I know he means it. I'm just not sure he can live it. You understand?"
"Anakin believes that Obi-Wan is insistent on marrying you. That would come with or without their blessing."
"I want their blessing, Padmé. He wants their blessing. More than that, we need it. They're the only family we have ever known."
"What about all the things you have said to Anakin, Siri?" Padmé gently prodded. "Why do think your words only apply to us? How can you have such faith in us but none for yourself and Obi-Wan?"
Dejected, Siri whispered, "History."
"Siri, the Council knows how much you love them, how much you respect them. Whether they embrace it or not, they are aware of it. You should trust them to make a decision that benefits all of you."
"I know...Much has happened in the last couple of days for Obi-Wan and I." She wet her suddenly parched lips. "It would be easy to believe it all a dream."
Padmé scoffed. "You need only look in the reflecting glass to know that your experiences were very real."
The memory of Obi-Wan arcing his lightsaber over Asajj came back to her as well as Anakin's horrified expression.
Siri shivered.
"I was actually referring to something other than my misbegotten clash with Asajj," Siri told her.
Bewildered, Padmé asked, "Then, what?"
Siri thought of the way Obi-Wan had touched her aboard their ship and promptly squeezed her eyes shut, shaking her head to clear it.
She hedged, "I can't tell you right now."
Her feminine curiosity piqued, Padmé leaned in to whisper, "Anakin's asleep."
"I will tell you about it another time."
"Siri, what is it?"
Padmé was looking at her with such avid curiosity; Siri could not help but smile.
Though they had firmly established a friendship they each cherished and had done so years ago, it remained a foreign concept to Siri to be so frank about her feelings for Obi-Wan with anyone other than him. She understood that it would get easier with time. She looked forward to that new aspect of her relationship with Padmé, but for now she would have to be practical.
"I can't you tell you now," Siri gently told her. "I have to consider Obi-Wan's mission. He may sense me, and…"
"All right," Padmé conceded. "Anakin did not tell me exactly what Obi-Wan has been asked to do."
"Let's just say he is…righting a wrong. So to speak."
"Well you are nothing if not cryptic."
"I'm getting better about it though; admit it."
"True." Padmé surreptitiously checked on her sleeping children.
Unsure of herself, she whispered. "Siri?"
"Hmm?"
"Anakin told me last night during your surgery what happened on Korriban."
She turned back to Siri. "What were you thinking when…?"
Siri raised her head with recognition and sighed her remorse. "Anakin saw it."
"He had visions of it. He battled against himself for hours before taking the issue to Yoda."
"I'm sorry. I did not realize that I…I don't know."
"My husband has always been intuitive when it comes to the people he cares for, Siri. You know that. It is the most vivid reason why I love him so much," Padmé explained. "He would not say it at the time, but…I think he saw you die, Siri."
"Yet I did not."
"But you may have had Anakin and Yoda not arrived."
Siri said nothing and kept her gaze away from Padmé.
Brow furrowed and with a quizzical flint of astonishment in her voice, Padmé murmured, "You went prepared for it. Did you go to Korriban believing you were going to die there?"
"Are you certain you are not a Jedi?"
"Siri."
She groaned. "Padmé, a Jedi goes into every battle prepared to die."
"Don't give me the Code response, Siri. I know you have dreams that are as premonitory as Anakin's. When you fought Ventress, did you…did you give way for her to kill you?"
"Of course not," she protested, appalled.
Siri checked her tone, keeping Anakin and the children in mind. "I…I did not know that Obi-Wan could feel me or was coming to get me. The only thing I could concentrate on at the time was…keeping Asajj occupied, wear her. We were beating each other senseless. The only reason I tumbled over the side was from blood loss. I certainly never planned on lurching to my death."
Padmé studied her with skepticism. "You knew exactly where to find her, Siri. You were waiting for her, not the other way around."
"Much to her disappointment."
"I know that she hurt you worse than you'd estimated," Padmé breathed with patience. "Otherwise…I do not believe you would have put yourself in a situation that would have…"
The two women had spent much time together over the years. They had few things in common other than their ambition, their integrity and intelligence. But the one indisputable thing they shared was the loneliness that derived from loving the men they did and being unable to do a solitary thing about it. The bond between them had developed quickly, and it was dear.
For Padmé, it explained how she came to so quick and ruthless a realization.
"Siri, did you knowingly step into her trap to murder you?"
Squirming from the inquiry, Siri went for levity. "Anakin and Obi-Wan have a policy on traps. I put it into practice and…sprang the trap."
Far from amused, Padmé was dismayed. "It is not funny, Siri. What were you doing?"
Siri reluctantly told her the truth. "I misunderstood direction, all right? I thought…The Republic was still threatened and…so was Obi-Wan. I heard…whispers, Padmé. I went to fulfill what I thought was my destiny."
Her answer clearly did nothing to illuminate matters for Padmé. In fact, her friend appeared even more stricken.
"You could not feel Obi-Wan?"
"Korriban…it is the grave of the Sith and also its base. It is surrounded by the Dark Side of the Force, but I…I would not feel Obi-Wan," Siri clarified. "I had one thing to do and that was to render Asajj useless so she could no longer hurt anyone else, including herself."
"You saw yourself in danger, and you were going to succumb to whatever came to you for…what? Simply getting Ventress into custody?"
"A successful end to a mission is what comes first, Padmé…"
"Is that what you are calling it? 'Successful'?"
"She is here, is she not? Asajj has been contained."
Padmé Amidala, Senator of Naboo and deeply respected diplomat, was renown for maintaining a cool, analytical head in heated debate.
Padmé Skywalker, on the other hand, had learned how to voice her temper when the situation warranted and she believed it could drive her point home.
"I suspect Obi-Wan has an entirely different review."
Siri had no defense for herself on this one. Her contrition was poignant.
"Padmé, I did not want to die," she said, deeply moved by her concern. "And I certainly did not expect Obi-Wan to react the way he did."
Padmé watched tears well in her eyes and was startled to composure.
She swallowed and asked softly, "I am not…I do not understand the ways of the Force like you do, and I do not mean to castigate you, it is just…Siri, why did you not tell Obi-Wan what awaited you on Korriban?"
"It was my responsibility," Siri answered, hoarsely. "I thought that I could…if I could just complete the mission…"
Understanding dawned on Padmé. "You wanted one more chance to bring her back to the Good Side."
"I could have been her, Padmé. I could have been Asajj Ventress."
"But you are not, and you made a very unnecessary sacrifice."
Padmé tried to soothe her and stroke her head, but Siri stiffened.
"I do not blame you for trying to help her, Siri," she said. "But confronting Ventress and leaving Obi-Wan..."
"A catastrophe, I know." She remembered again his devastation and accepted that there was nothing she could do to repair it.
Once again, they had other things to contend with right now.
Solemn, Padmé rested her head back against the pillow. "You know how much I care for the Jedi. You need only look around us to know how much gratitude I have for them, but…how much are any of you supposed to forfeit for the Order?"
Her stare was level with Siri's. "Do you believe they are so intolerant that they cannot forgive you, Siri? Everything you have done in your life is in reverence to the Force, and the Council respects that. You have given me support in my endeavors. You have advised me and comforted me, and now I will return the favor.
You need to let it go. You need to concentrate on yourself now. When Obi-Wan stands before them and declares he shall marry you, then believe it so. Your attachment is unbreakable now, Siri. He requires only your consent, not theirs. You have always done what was required of you by the Council, do not assume that they will ignore that. Give them a chance to do right by you and believe in good fortune."
Siri smiled at her gratefully. "Thank you."
"The Jedi are changing, Siri, and it is not just about Ani and I. It is not about you and Obi-Wan. It is as much for themselves as the rest of us."
"It will be…difficult…to keep myself from shielding them, Padmé. I would never want any thing I have done or will do to potentially cause them harm. I would never want that."
"Of course you wouldn't. But in case you have not noticed, your Jedi friends are more than adequately capable to take care of themselves."
That brought the smile back to Siri's face. "Yes. Yes, they are."
She stood. "You're tired. I'm going to let you rest while you still can."
"Siri, try not to worry about Obi-Wan. Whatever it is he is doing, know that you will be his best motivation for coming back."
Siri settled herself into the hoverchair.
"I know," she said. "Please tell Anakin I will see him later."
"All right."
"Your children are beautiful, Padmé."
"So are you."
Siri smiled and manually guided the chair out of the room.
The door slid closed behind her, and Padmé turned around to find Anakin alert. His eyes were open and clear staring after Siri's exit.
Her smile faded when she saw the expression on his face.
"Ani, what is it?"
He was still staring at the door as he replied, "She senses something that I have not."
His tone was not one of suspicion but of certainty, and apprehension hardened his features.
"Have you been awake all this time?"
"No. Just long enough to know something is wrong."
"Anakin, she is worried about Obi-Wan and the Council. That is all."
Anakin looked at his wife and made a decision. He was not going to follow their friend and interrogate her. He was not going to think about it. Siri's feelings were hers. He would not rush to discern them.
He smiled for Padmé. "You are right."
"Yes, I am. Now help me up from this bed."
"What for?"
"If we're going to keep Luke and Leia on a feeding schedule, I have to wake them now."
As if they heard and understood what their mother said, they each began to wail.
"Listen to them, angel. They sing for their supper."
"That makes it convenient."
Padmé picked up Luke and cradled him against her, cooing to him.
Leia squalled her protest that her brother would be fed first. Anakin lifted her and tucked her head on his shoulder. He bounced gently on the soles of his feet, and she quieted.
"Hush now, princess."
Watching him, Padmé shook her head.
He caught her look. "What?"
"'Princess'?"
He adjusted his hold and looked down at Leia's pretty face. He cradled her tiny head in his palm and turned her to face his wife.
"Well, look at her. She's beautiful!"
He grinned and gushed again to his daughter. "Aren't you, princess?"
Padmé said with feigned severity, "Anakin Skywalker, you will not spoil our daughter."
"Stating the obvious is hardly going to spoil her," he told her austerely.
Then he returned to normal. "Besides, it is my right. She's mine."
Padmé chuckled and drew Luke closer to her breast. "I think I may have had something to do with her creation, darling."
"You are where she gets the beauty." He winked at her.
Impressed, Padmé laughed. "Ooh…that was good, Anakin."
"She has my brain."
Padmé rolled her eyes. "Then it will be up to Luke and I to keep you out of trouble."
He stroked a finger on his son's downy head. "Nope. Just you. Luke is with me, too."
"You are getting disturbingly greedy, my love."
Anakin secured his hold of Leia and leaned over Padmé's upturned face. "Feeling left out?"
Padmé kept her gaze on his as his lips teased hers. She shook her head and seductively whispered, "Not at all."
She grinned slowly as her his mouth closed in on hers.
"They may belong to you, but you belong to me."
She kept Luke tucked securely in one arm and brought her free hand up to the back of her husband's neck.
"That makes all three of you…mine."
When she kissed him, she proved it.
†
Obi-Wan stationed himself outside the small, shuttered room that currently held Ventress. He did not feel compelled to listen to the interrogation. Ventress would disclose nothing to the Senate's committee. She would recount no details of her life with Count Dooku or Darth Sidious. She certainly would not confess to any mischief. If she said anything to them at all, it would doubtlessly be her Sith recitations of power and the alleged evil of the Jedi.
Any testimony she provided would be nothing of any reliable import. It was his feeling that this inquiry was nothing but the responsibility of following protocol and procedure. Asajj Ventress was an enemy of the state and remained a dangerous one despite the meager loss of fingers. The nerve damage she had sustained by Siri could be repaired. They must not treat her carelessly. Ventress' mind was gone and had been since the day she had sworn fealty to the Dark Side; but whatever consciousness she retained, she would use for the futile voice of her cause.
Obi-Wan wondered if Ventress' trial would be separate from that of Moore and the members of the Trade Federation. The entire process for all would be long and arduous. The list of their crimes was extensive, but the collected evidence was compelling. That each would be given the full advantage of fair trials by the bastion of democracy they had battled to topple was, in Obi-Wan's reckoning, one of the greater victories the Republic could claim.
The doors slid open, and the group inside dispersed out into the main hall of Temple. Senator Ackbar and Mon Mothma stepped out, and Obi-Wan made his presence known.
He bowed formally before them. "Good afternoon, Senator Ackbar. Milady."
The looming Mon Calamarian lowered his head. "General Kenobi."
Mon Mothma's elegant features warmed with sincerity. "It is good to see you, Master Kenobi."
"It seems the Republic owes you more than one debt of gratitude with the end of the war," Ackbar declared. "First there was your destruction of Grievous and now…you and Siri Tachi have reigned Palpatine's minions. Any remnants of secession are now in the custody of the Galactic Republic."
"I am afraid I cannot accept your accolades, General," Obi-Wan replied with humility. "Mistress Tachi is responsible for the apprehensions of Sly Moore and Ventress, and it was Master Skywalker who truly deserves the credit for the end of the war. Were it not for Anakin's bravery…"
"I think everyone can agree that, once again, the Republic owes the Jedi for our preservation," interrupted Mon Mothma.
Her austere countenance returned. She folded her hands in front of her. "We understand, Master Kenobi, that you are to be Ventress' Jedi representative."
"I am to serve as her escort, milady…as the policies between the Senate and the Jedi Council dictate, yes."
"General Kenobi, Ventress has made scathing accusations against you," Ackbar informed him. "We spoke with Masters Yoda and Windu earlier, so we had been warned of what we may hear."
When that elicited no reaction, Mon Mothma added, "The masters brought to our attention the stress you were under that may have contributed to your…emotional response on Korriban."
Obi-Wan remained silent. He saw the blinds of the window open and watched as two Jedi healers worked to hypnotize Ventress into acquiescence for the shackles being placed around her wrists and ankles by Knights. She was strapped to an upright electromagnetic table. He could see that her wounds had been properly treated by the Jedi Medical team. There was a digital recovery system attached to the arm that lacked feeling. Platinum caps had been placed over the severed knuckles of her maimed hand. When his gaze reached her face, he discovered she was staring at him.
Ventress was grinning.
Ackbar said, "I think it would be in everyone's best interest if perhaps another Master were to serve in your stead."
"Asajj Ventress is not a typical prisoner, Master Kenobi."
Mon Mothma looked at Obi-Wan's granite profile.
"Master Kenobi," she began in a genial whisper. "This shuttle must go smoothly. Her incarceration may be for some time. We—the Republic and the Jedi—cannot risk an incident that could rouse the suspicion of weary star systems."
Obi-Wan calmly turned back to face them.
"With respect, milady, the Jedi Council made the decision that I am the appropriate choice for this assignment."
He eyed the pair soberly. "That is good enough for me. It should be good enough for you."
"Master Kenobi, I only meant that we do not wish for you jeopardize your position within the Order or your reputation in the galaxy," Mon Mothma told him. "It is clear that Ventress would like nothing more than to bring down the Jedi Order, with you in particular."
"That is her witless chatter, Senator. The burden of proof and Ventress is your responsibility now. My presence is but a formality."
Ackbar raised a hand to signal the Knights their ready to exit.
"I shall ride with you and the Clone Troops with Ventress in a private shuttle to the Lower Level," Ackbar said.
Obi-Wan nodded, "What about the access to weapons?"
"There will be nothing aboard the vessel that Ventress has the ability to wield given her wounds, even if she were not fettered, General."
"Do not be so sure, milord," Obi-Wan advised. "Her powers of persuasion are not to be dismissed as ineffectual."
Mon Mothma seemed to consider the intent of his words. "What do you suggest, Master Kenobi?"
He paused for a moment. "The clones, armed, should ride in a separate carriage. Ackbar, you and I will—alone—remain with Ventress."
The concession was agreed to quickly. "I will inform the Chancellor of our change in plans."
"Very good."
Knights ushered Ventress' into the hall and stopped before Obi-Wan and the Senators.
"She is ready for transport, Master."
Obi-Wan spared her a glance before saying, "Let's go."
Mon Mothma kept pace with Obi-Wan.
"She seems to be under sedation," she whispered.
Obi-Wan made no reply.
Kenobi…
He ignored the telepathic call.
"HoloNet has surrounded Temple," Obi-Wan told them. "We must leave from the third spire."
They arrived at the service lift, and Obi-Wan turned to the young knights. "Inform the Council of our departure and make certain the shield is only lowered once we have completely boarded."
"Yes, Master."
Ackbar, Mon Mothma, and Obi-Wan stepped into the lift after Ventress had been placed. Obi-Wan remained alongside Ventress with Ackbar and Mon behind them.
You always save me, Kenobi.
Obi-Wan took deeply measured breaths.
I am not saving you, Asajj. I am insuring that you will never escape again.
They will never keep me, Kenobi. I will be free. I will be free, and you will never know when I will come back. Your precious friends will never be safe from the Dark Side. Never!
Be at peace. You do not have anywhere else to go, Asajj. You have no one to help you. You will always be betrayed.
Arrogant fool. Are you truly so naïve as to believe that the Sith are eradicated? There are more, Kenobi. There is always more…
Obi-Wan remembered what Siri had told him about concentrating on her feelings, not her words.
Ah…Still embarrassing yourself over Tachi, hmm?
He quickly cleared his mind but could still hear Ventress' mocking laughter.
You are not only a fool, Kenobi. You are weak, too. So much devotion to a faithless harlot who deceived you. With your enemies…Her death would have done you a favor.
The lift stopped and Clones greeted them on the launch pad of their transport.
The subtle smile he gave her as she was raised onto the shuttle was thoroughly mocking.
Still wagging your tongue beyond your means, Asajj. You are frightened and utterlydeserted.
You will never hold me, Kenobi.
And you have nowhere to run, Asajj. Your pathetic attempts to raise my ire are producing nothing to sway me. Unless, of course, 'tis your intention to bore me to death.
Ventress quieted. He gripped the safety strap casually as Mon Mothma waved her goodbye from the platform, and they left Temple.
