Chapter Twenty-Five: I'm So Sorry
"So we're not gonna tell the public that Dooku was on Naboo?"
Mace snorted, glancing upwards while he leaned against the Holotable and read his datapad. "Would you look at that - without your beard you look like a padawan learner."
Obi-Wan rolled his eyes, fingers running through his short hair while he walked into the transfer room they were loaned in the palace. He had used a serum to grow a bit of hair on his head, though it burned his scalp and itched like mad. The beard he would grow naturally.
"To answer your question - no, we will not. To admit that a Separatist leader such as Dooku managed to infiltrate a core world...not a good idea." Mace went back to his datapad briefly, then powered it down. "Does it feel better to be back in your own skin?"
"Well...removing the voice modifier was an unpleasant experience." Obi-Wan leaned again the wall. "But just doing my job."
Mace stayed silent for a moment, then shook his head. He didn't want to broach the subject - well, multiple subjects - but he knew he had too.
"Anakin took leave from here," Mace started. "He escorted Senator Amidala home."
Silence. The birds chirped outside.
"... really? Well that's - "
"Do you think I'm an idiot Obi-Wan?"
"What - what? Of - "
The only indication Mace was amused was a slight twitch of his lips. There was a bit of a twinkle in his eyes, though he didn't say anything more about that subject. He would let the two of them sort out their issues.
But…
Obi-Wan still didn't look like himself, glancing around, his face falling into a troubled -
"You heard the Holo?" Mace broached gently. He had heard last night, as everyone had heard, that Duchess Kryze had been rushed to the hospital. No one knew what was happening.
"...yes. I have tried to contact her, to no avail. Her siblings know nothing either - they're contacting me, asking if I know."
"They're not mad?"
"Concern for their loved ones trump's a Mandalorian's anger any day."
Mace shook his head. "It's amazing what you learn about other cultures, even at my age."
Obi-Wan had to laugh, though that was cut off by a comlink bleeping. He patted his tunics before shrugging, then nodding when he realized it was Mace's.
The tone was not something he was familiar with - a few notes of some old showtune.
Crown Prince Klaudius Robert Kryze - or Cadet Kryze - or Korkie - popped upwards. He was dressed in a formal blue tunic and beige leggings, leaning against his aunt's desk. It was strange to see him out of his school uniform - if he made a public appearence, that is. He kept mostly to himself.
"Prince Kryze?" Mace asked, staring at the small Holo of the Mandalorian Crown Prince. He refrained from glancing over to the Jedi Master leaning against the wall. "What can I do for you?"
Korkie Kryze tilted his head, sharp eyes scanning him. He looked so much younger in the formal attire...and so tired.
Well...he was just a kid.
"Master Windu - I must offer my congratulations on saving the life of the Chancellor and preventing the downfall of the Republic." It was easy to hear Korkie's pedigree in his voice.
"Well of course - it is the duty of the Jedi to save those whom are at risk, no matter their status."
"Mmm - really?"
Obi-Wan raised his eyebrows, looking pale and ill. A dreadful feeling began to creep into the air.
At least he looks like Obi-Wan now.
Mace frowned, staring at the prince. "Is there something you need Your Highness? Congratulations does not appear in a Mandalorian's repertoire - especially without a catch."
"I'm glad you asked - I need to speak to General Kenobi."
Obi-Wan straightened, taking half a step forward.
Mace frowned. "I'm afraid Master Kenobi is - "
"I'm aware he is alive, as everyone is in the Galaxy at this point." Korkie's firm posture slumped a bit. He tried to smile, though it failed. "It's about Duchess Kryze - you are aware she was in the hospital?"
Obi-Wan glanced at the Holotable when it pinged, nodding to Master Yoda shimmering into existence. He gestured to the small Hologram front of him, then slid his gaze back.
"It's been on the Holo-mags for days - something about a kidney stone?"
"Can I just speak to General Kenobi?"
"What could possibly be so - "
"I don't think you understand - "
"I will not be ordered - "
"Duchess Kryze had a miscarriage two days ago."
Mace winced, glancing upwards.
Obi-Wan sunk into the wall, pressing a fist to his lips, wrapping on arm tightly around his stomach. Tears were gathering at his eyes. The temperature in the room dropped.
Without fanfare, Mace turned the comlink around, wishing he had just given it to Obi-Wan in the first place and left the room. The young man barely acknowledged it, staring somewhere in the distance.
It was quiet for too long.
Finally, Obi-Wan spoke. His voice was barely a whisper. "...do they know the cause?"
"...no. But...Auntie told me that it was a girl. She said you would want to know that... she's trying not to act like it, but she really needs you right now."
Obi-Wan nodded, squeezing his eyes shut. Sitting there, he looked more like a little kid than someone whom had just risked his life for weeks. "I'll...I'll be there as soon as I can."
Korkie opened his mouth, then nodded and gave a salute. The Hologram disappeared, the comlink whirring to a stop.
The room was silent, save for Master Yoda's cane tapping against his chair in the Hologram.
Mace leaned forward, glancing away from the scene. Too many memories were floating through his head. He wondered why fate was repeating itself.
Obi-Wan wiped at his tears, trying to calm his breathing. "I...Masters, we never meant too - "
"Conceive a child?" Yoda asked bluntly. "For that, in essence, lovemaking is."
"It was an accident," Obi-Wan whispered. "We...we were trying to figure out what to do."
Yoda huffed. "A good thing, this loss may be. A test. Too attached to the Duchess, you are. Love her, maybe you should not."
Mace grimaced, looking at the Grandmaster and trying to figure out what to say. He didn't know how this man could sometimes be so cruel. "Just let him go," he whispered, "he just lost his baby girl - let him go to Mand - "
"Take sides, you are, Master Windu? Encouraging this union, you are?"
"...Master Kenobi is no good to us while grieving. Worrying. He needs time to recover from this mission - let him do it on Sundari."
Obi-Wan said nothing. He was staring at the ground, tears falling down his face.
"To the Order, your duties are, Master Kenobi. Remember that, you should."
Mace looked at the young Jedi Master, who still hadn't spoken. He wanted to cross the small space between them and comfort the man he had known since boyhood, to tell him everything was going to be okay, that the Galaxy wasn't ending. He would have too, if Master Yoda wasn't frowning at both of them.
"Obi-Wan?" he murmured instead.
Obi-Wan swallowed, turning his head. He wiped at his face, to no avail. Tears kept streaming down his face. Through a strained, broken voice he whispered: "I'll start my leave tonight, masters."
"Take care of the Third Systems Army, who will?"
"...Cody is more than capable for a few weeks." Obi-Wan straightened, his gaze haunted while he looked at them. "I do not believe I will be able to attend to my duties much masters, while on leave. I will be otherwise occupied."
He bowed, then turned on his heel and walked out of the room.
Yoda sighed, shaking his head. "A death of a child, unfortunate it is. But grieve, Obi-Wan should not. In a better place, his daughter is."
"Obi-Wan knows loss well, yes...but I am afraid I have to disagree Master Yoda. He needs to grieve this...and then move on, but when he's ready."
"Too much like his father, he is." Yoda rubbed at his head. "Believe Obi-Wan will leave the Order, do you? This time, for good?"
Thinking about all the times Obi-Wan nearly left the Order and didn't...well, that list was extensive. But this time just felt... different.
"We've always known that Obi-Wan would leave the Order," Mace murmured. "I am not surprised it will be too Duchess Kryze, though I am saddened that it had to happen this way."
"Stay together, they will? Been through much, they have."
Mace had to smile a little. "Problems of their own making, mostly. But this time...yes, I believe they will."
Yoda hummed, tapping his knee a moment before giving a sly grin. "Bet on it, you wish too Master Windu?"
"My pockets are dry from the last time we made a bet."
"Race ya, Uncle Ani!"
"What - hey! That's cheating!" Anakin shouted, followed by a burst of giggling.
"There's your husband," Jobal snickered, staring out the window a moment before shaking her head and returning to the task of rinsing the star fruit.
Over the rain, Padmé listened to the sound of her laughing nieces scrambling up the steps. What she wouldn't give to hear those voices every day.
"We're home!" Ryoo announced, pressing her face against the screen.
"We jumped in puddles! And played tag!" Pooja added, muscling her sister out of the way and opening the door wide.
"You made Uncle Ani jump in puddles?" Padmé asked, laughing when she glanced up and saw her nieces standing in the threshold. They were, covered in mud and dripping rainwater on the floor. Her husband jogged up the steps of the awning covered entrance, freezing when he saw her staring. "Um...Sola?"
"Oh my goodness," Jobal murmured, leaning against the counter. "You three certainly went on an adventure."
Sola glanced at her daughters, then dropped the bowl she had been holding on the counter and and folded her arms. "Ryoo! Pooja! Your faces are filthy! And your dresses! What happened to your cloaks?!"
"I can explain," Anakin said hurriedly, raising his hands and shooting Padmé a help me! look. He was equally as muddy, hair flopping in his face.
Padmé did her best not to laugh, earning an exasperated look from her sister. Smirking, she took the star fruit her mother handed her and began to chop it.
"Don't blame them, Sola. We were playing tag when it started raining. The puddles were too tempting. " Anakin ran a hand through his hair, having the decency to look ashamed. "Girls, come here and take your cloaks and boots off. I don't want your grandmother to be mad at me for getting her floor dirty."
"As if I could be mad at you, Anakin!" Jobal called, moving to the oven.
"That makes one Naberrie!" Anakin answered, and then spoke to their nieces in a stage-whisper. "Your aunt yells at me when I put my elbows on the table."
"No!"
"You do?" Sola asked, looking rather amused.
"That was one time!" Padmé shouted back, earning giggling from her nieces. She shook her head. "He's exaggerating. We had to attend a state dinner and I reminded him of his manners."
"How can you be mad at that, girls?" Jobal chuckled, motioning Padmé aside and putting a hot tray of Cambylictus roots on the island to cool. "He's rather good with kids, Mé dear. Remember that next time you two - "
Padmé blushed scarlet. "Mom!"
Sola shook her head in exasperation, glancing to her sheepish daughters - and brother-in-law - when they came back inside. She knelt to Pooja's and Ryoo's level, looking over them and sighing. "Guess I should be thankful there aren't more than two of you, huh?"
"We're not in trouble?" Pooja asked in a small voice.
"No. I was shocked, not angry. It came out wrong." Sola kissed their brows and stood. "Take a shower, both of you. And put the dresses in the hamper. I'll take care of them before we leave tonight."
Ryoo dipped her head in respect, then nudged her sister in the ribs. "Race you up the stairs."
"You're on."
"Girls!" Sola shouted after them, and glared at Anakin. "I blame you. They were angels before they met you."
"I'm just the fun uncle." Anakin - now stripped of his wet cloak, outertunic, and boots - waltzed over to Padmé and kissed her brow. "Hey Angel."
"You're a horrible influence," Padmé muttered, swatting his arm when he snatched a root from the tray and popped it in his mouth. "Those are for dinner!"
"But I'm hungry now!" Anakin whined.
"You're always hungry - you're a Skywalker."
"Save your appetite for dinner, Anakin." Jobal said. "I cooked Padmé's five-blossom bread. It should be done by the time Darred and Ruwea come home."
"You know, she tried to make that once. Nearly burned the apartment - "
"Ani, please shower."
Sola laughed. "No no, please do keep going."
"We had eat at Dex's Diner, the damage was so bad."
Padmé - putting her elbows on the counter and head in her hands - groaned loudly while her relatives laughed.
"It wasn't all bad. We did hang out in the shopping district while the kitchen was being repaired."
"You went shopping with Padmé? Are you crazy?" Sola asked.
She remembered that. It was near their second anniversary, and Anakin had taken her to Dex's Diner after they hunted for a new new ship. Obi-Wan had been at the diner, researching...well...them.
She shook her head when her husband went to shower, and ventured into the dining room to set the dinner table. Everything felt so….she couldn't put into words what her life had become.
Strange.
"Need some company?" Jobal asked, coming out with a salad and the bread.
Padmé glanced up and forced a smile. "Of course."
Jobal set down the items. "We were pretty scared when we heard what had happened in Theed, sweetheart."
"We have the Jedi to thank for keeping everyone safe."
"How is he doing, Padmé?"
Padmé didn't look her mother in the eye, twitching the tablecloth. "In regards to what, Mama?"
"Padmé. I am your mother. I know when something is upsetting you."
She sighed, pressing her hands into the table. "Master Kenobi."
"Anakin's master? The Great Negotiator? I have heard nothing but good things about him. He did a great thing, going undercover and foiling the plot to kill the Chancellor."
"Yes...and that's what is troubling me." She hesitated, remembering how Anakin had sobbed the night of the funeral, unable to be consoled. She remembered how Ahsoka had been quiet for so many hours. "The High Council did not tell Anakin of the plan...at the request of Master Kenobi. I'm sure he had his reasons but…"
Jobal set the silverware down and closed the distance between them, enfolding Padmé in a much-needed embrace. "I'm so sorry, dear. That's an awful burden to bear, for everyone involved."
"Anakin refuses to talk about it. He's so...angry. Upset. It scares me, Mama."
"Anakin scares you? Or what the Council has done?"
Padmé shrugged, unable to respond. She didn't like it when she didn't know the answer to something. She patted the arm that her mother had wrapped around her shoulder, and stepped neatly away. It was time to change the subject.
Jobal didn't think the same thing, catching hold of Padmé's wrist. "Honey. I am no Jedi but...healing takes time. Do not force it. Marriage isn't always smooth sailing. Part of being a spouse is standing by their side when the waters get rough."
"Yes but…" Padmé stared at the tablecloth, feeling her eyes begin to water. "When do you know you're not drowning while trying to keep them afloat?"
"Then you have to make the decision of the relationship is truly worth it. Padmé," Jobal squeezed her shoulder. "Don't let a marriage fall apart because of miscommunication and hardship. You and Anakin love each other so fiercely. You can make it work."
Padmé nodded, not saying anything when her mother left the dining room.
Mé: Are you okay? You haven't answered any of my messages
Mé: Satine did something happened?
Anakin: can you stop worrying my wife Satine?
Anakin: actually, we're both worried. Why are you in the hospital?
Ben: I'm leaving for Sundari now. I'll be there by mid-evening
Tina: I'll still be in hospital - 4th floor, Room 333
Ben: okay. I love you my dear
Tina: [is typing]
Tina: I'm so sorry Obi-Wan
Author's note: now how many were expecting that to happen?
I know some people will say I'm being unfair to Yoda. Well, I have said it before and I'll say it again: I don't like Yoda. Never have. I find him annoying and probably a large part of the reason the Jedi failed.
If I insulted you - well, my writing is a work of fiction ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
There's only a few more chapters until the end of this fic (and of course there will be a sequel. A chunk of it is already written)
ii Digestive Reader ii