A/N: I'm revealing a little bit about the plot, to prevent some questions that might come up. Aila will eventually be healthy, but we have to get through these chapters first. It might not seem like it, but there is a lot going on that we will need for later in this story. No, Aila is not pregnant, she is just exhausted from all she has been through. I have some loose ends to tie up in this aftermath of the Tatooine mission, but I am hoping that once they are finished I can skip ahead a few years in this story to AOTC time frame. I have not locked down a chapter count until that time yet, but just to warn everyone, this story is going to jump ahead a few years (hopefully in the near future). Most likely I'll post another author's note when that happens. Thanks for reading. :)
Chapter 35: Departing the Temple
Anakin went to follow Obi-Wan out of the Council chambers after his master exited the chambers with Aila, but he was stopped when Master Yoda stated, "Padawan Skywalker, wait a moment."
Anakin paused just as he was getting ready to exit the chamber. He stared down at his feet in frustration before taking a deep breath and squaring his shoulders. He held his head up as he moved to stand before the Council, taking Obi-Wan's previous spot. "Yes, Master." Anakin stated trying and failing to hide his irritation with the Council. He could not believe that this group of people could be so cold and heartless to Obi-Wan and Aila. His master was in love and the Council was trying to interfere with the relationship. They were going to lose a great Jedi Knight and force one of his best friends away because of their behavior.
"Padawan Skywalker, share your feelings on this matter." Master Yoda requested.
Anakin was a little taken aback by Yoda's request, no Jedi Master on the Council had ever asked for his opinion on anything. Anakin had been under the impression that the Council did not think highly at him. At first Anakin considered telling the Council how outraged he was with their behavior and how he could not believe they were pushing a good man like Obi-Wan out of the Order. He also thought he should add that he thought Obi-Wan should be commended for his civil and calm behavior because had they done the same thing to him, particularly to a certain angel from Naboo, he could not be held responsible for his actions. However, being too startled by the line of questioning, Anakin did not give voice to any of these arguments and just stared blankly at the diminutive Jedi Master.
"Padawan Skywalker, Master Yoda asked you your opinion." Master Windu prompted sternly.
The sound of Master Windu's voice pulled Anakin out of his reverie and focused his attention back to what he needed to say. Although he had a lot of angry thoughts he considered on projecting he knew that would only lead to a lecture on the dangers of the dark side. Instead he followed Obi-Wan's example and gathered himself before speaking. He also chose his words carefully.
"I believe this Council was wrong in treating Obi-Wan and Aila the way they did. You failed to break apart Obi-Wan and Aila, if anything you drew them closer together. Additionally, you have lost Obi-Wan's trust and possibly pushed him away from the Order."
"Think Kenobi can trust again?" Master Yoda asked.
Anakin considered this for a moment. His master was pretty forgiving, but the Council's actions had been deplorable. Considering this, Anakin answered as truthfully as he could, "Perhaps, with time."
Yoda just nodded and then directed his attention to the rest of the Council members. "Wrong we were in our actions. Disagree with Kenobi we might, but not our place to separate Aila from him. Difficult it will be to regain his trust, but not impossible. Grant his request, we should. A great asset he is and will be."
"I concur." Adi Gallia stated. "Obi-Wan was right, this Council lacked compassion. We must now make up for that problem. Obi-Wan proved that he is quite capable of handling a mission with his force bond. It is now time that we stop interfering with that bond and let him do his job. We do not have to agree with his marriage to Aila, but we did give him an exception and we should uphold it. We can arrange for Kenobi to have an apartment away from the Temple, there should be room in the Senate apartments."
Anakin was pleased that several other members stated their agreement with Gallia and Yoda. When a vote was called, they gained a majority vote over dissenters like Mundi and Windu. Anakin was a bit surprised with Master Mundi's hard stance on this issue, seeing as he was married himself. The Cerean may say his marriage is strictly for species reasons, but Anakin found it hard to believe that he felt no attachment for his wives. Anakin could not imagine having a marriage without some attachment.
"Then it is decided." Master Windu stated bitingly at his defeat. "Obi-Wan will remain in the Order and we will allow him to live outside of the Temple with Aila."
"Speak with Kenobi, I will." Master Yoda stated and then turned his attention to a now gleeful Anakin. "Padawan Skywalker, know you wish to speak with your master, but ask that you wait. Wish to speak with him myself, I do. Speak with him later, you can."
Anakin nodded his head, he would comply with Yoda's request knowing that his master was still in the Order and there would still be plenty of opportunities to speak with one another. "Understood master." Anakin said with a bow.
Yoda nodded his head at Anakin as Master Windu said, "Council adjourned." Then all Council members and Anakin filed out of the chambers with Master Yoda heading towards the Kenobis' quarters.
Obi-Wan had been keeping his emotions in check during the entire Council meeting. He could not believe they could hurt Aila, his goddess, the way they had. A part of him wanted to leave the Order right then, but he knew Anakin needed him. He was not exactly sure what Aila would want, but he could not very well ask her at the moment.
When Obi-Wan entered their soon to be former quarters, he walked to the bedroom and gently placed Aila on the bed. He then went back to the kitchenette to get a fresh glass of water for Aila to drink. He then brought it to the bedroom with him and set it on the bedside table next to her while he gathered her into his arms once more. He used their force bond to nudge her awake and out of the healing trance he had placed her under.
When he could feel her stir in his arms, Obi-Wan called the glass of water from the bedside table to his hand. Like before, he pressed the glass to Aila's lips while prompting her to drink once more. Aila had drunk very little before and dehydration was still a concern. Obi-Wan was pleased that she drank without question and drained the glass without further prompting. When she was finished, Obi-Wan placed the glass back on the bedside table while he brushed a kiss across her forehead and settled her back against the pillows.
Before he could reinstate the Jedi healing trance, Obi-Wan heard Aila faintly say, "Obi-Wan."
"Yes, my love?" Obi-Wan answered back as he gazed into her half-closed exhausted eyes.
"I love you." Aila whispered.
"And I you, my goddess. I'm sorry." Obi-Wan replied and then leaned down to give her a light kiss on the lips.
"For what?" Aila asked trying to stave off sleep.
"For worrying you. I never wanted this to happen, I should have told you what was going on before I left. I trusted the Council to speak with you. I won't let them hurt you again."
"I'm fine." Aila said weakly as she moved her left hand over Obi-Wan's left hand which was resting on the bed beside her. "I did this to myself, I should not have worried. Masters Yoda and Gallia told me you were safe."
"They did?" Obi-Wan asked with mild surprise as he grasped Aila's hand in a soft grip.
"Yes, I…" Aila yawned before continuing. "I did not believe them. I had this feeling that you were gone. I could not explain it."
Obi-Wan frowned once more, that feeling had been the force bond she was unaware of. "I know my goddess, that won't happen again. I promise." As soon as she was healthy and coherent enough to listen to him, he would explain their bond to her.
"It is my fault, I was being silly." Aila stated sleepily as she began to lose her battle with her exhaustion once more.
"No, my goddess, you did nothing wrong. You will see that soon. Now rest, I will take care of you." Obi-Wan used the force to nudge Aila back into a healing trance before he set to work in packing up their few belongings.
Obi-Wan had just finished packing up the last of his and Aila's clothing when he heard a knock at the front door. "Enter." He called out sternly expecting a representative from the Jedi Council informing him that he could leave.
As he suspected, Master Yoda entered the sitting room on his hover chair. Once inside the room he stepped out of the hover chair, hobbled a few feet away from it, and looked up at Obi-Wan who was standing before him. "Made a decision, the Council has." Master Yoda stated simply.
"Yes?" Obi-Wan replied.
"Grant your request, we will. Wish for you to stay in the Order."
"Really?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Yes. Apologize for what happened, I do. Seeing Aila distressed brought grim feelings to my heart. Foolish the Council decision, was."
"But you went along with it." Obi-Wan responded bitterly.
"Yes, yes." Yoda shook his head sadly as he continued. "Ashamed I am. Done more I should, but limited by the code. Tried to make the Council see reason, but I failed."
Obi-Wan remained silent at this admission, trying to hide his anger with the Jedi Master that he had not done more.
Master Yoda could sense Obi-Wan's emotions and knew it was best to finish what he came here to do and then leave to give the Jedi some time and space to deal with things. "An apartment in the Senate buildings you can have, but wait another hour you must before it is ready. A padawan will bring you more details. Furnished it will be. Also given a monthly stipend to support your family, you will."
"Very well, thank you master." Obi-Wan stated evenly.
"No missions will you have for at least one month, but continue the training of your padawan."
"Of course." Obi-Wan stated.
"Apologize again, I do."
"Thank you master."
"May the force be with you." Master Yoda stated as he walked back over to his hover chair and sat down into it.
"And with you." Obi-Wan responded as he watched the Jedi Master leave his quarters, the door closing behind him. Obi-Wan then finished packing a few more things before he went to sit with Aila while he waited for the information on his new living arrangements to arrive.