Chapter 21 - A Sith's Plans

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"What can you tell me about Sidious's plans?" inquires Obi-Wan, pushing thoughts of Anakin from his mind temporarily.

"Everything," Dooku answers simply, "I know everything he is planning to do."

"Since we will be confronting him, I would like to know what he has in store for the galaxy."

"Very well," replies Dooku, his expression becoming graver, "He wants to create a Sith Empire, destroying both the Republic and Jedi Order."

Obi-Wan had expected it, but it's still unnerving to hear it laid out so plainly. "How does he intend to go about doing it?"

"It's simple," the Count explains, "He created the clones. They answer to him and he had them installed with preprogrammed chips. If he issues Order 66, the clones will immediately turn on the Jedi and slaughter them, no questions asked."

Only years of Jedi training enable Obi-Wan to maintain his calm. That revelation – it sickens him. It's horrific how the clones were created to be nothing more than a means of destroying the Jedi. Sidious doesn't even view them as humans. Their emotions mean nothing to him. Obi-Wan knows that the clones would never willingly kill the Jedi, and clearly, Sidious knows it too. Hence why he installed a kill switch in them.

Still, there's something bothering him. Dooku has been their adversary since the beginning of the Clone Wars. He's not convinced he won't be drawn into a Sith power struggle, even if Anakin thinks to the contrary. He does have confidence in Anakin's judgement, but he wants to hear Dooku's reasoning for why he should trust a Sith Lord.

"Why should I trust you?" queries Obi-Wan, "We've been on opposite sides of the war since the beginning. I don't have any reason to consider you trustworthy."

"I would be disappointed if you didn't ask me," Dooku returns, maybe a tad too smugly, "Of course I couldn't expect you to simply agree to assist me, but seeing as you are already here, it would be illogical for you to refuse." He pauses for a moment, while Obi-Wan waits for him to finish. He clearly has a reason; if he didn't, he wouldn't have been so certain he would convince Obi-Wan to help him.

"I do not believe as Sidious does, that the Sith should rule," explains the Count, "Originally, the Sith were created as an offshoot from the Jedi Order to return to their original ideals which had been modified, if not completely abandoned."

Interesting. It's enlightening too. "You think that the Jedi have lost their way." It's not really a question.

Dooku nods slowly, "Yes. They've let their fear of the Dark Side blind them to what it means to be a Jedi. It's their fear that Sidious is using. The Dark Side is not meant to be feared. It can be – and often is – powerful and dangerous, but its power can be controlled."

"Its power corrupts," counters Obi-Wan.

A thoughtful expression surfaces on the Count's face. "Perhaps for those who cannot control it," he agrees, "But it can be controlled. I have learned the technique. Do you think I am corrupted by power?"

"You started the Clone Wars," Obi-Wan replies flatly, knowing it doesn't really answer the question. He doesn't know – has no way of knowing – what is going on in Dooku's mind. He couldn't know if the man has been corrupted by power. The crux of the question is if Dooku plans to take his master's place.

"I followed my master's orders," Dooku defers, "There is a difference. I did not create the war to gain more personal power."

Obi-Wan pauses, considering the question from all angles. True, Dooku's eyes are not yellow, but that doesn't mean he hasn't been corrupted. He acts with defined logic; nothing about his actions are illogical or without purpose. And he helped Anakin. He didn't need to. There was no reason. It would have been in his best interests to get Anakin to fall if he wanted power, but he didn't. Instead of trying to turn Anakin, Dooku tried to save him. So maybe – maybe he can trust Dooku is being sincere in his desire to destroy Sidious for the good of the galaxy.

An almost pleased expression appears on the Sith Lord's face. "You understand now, do you not?" he queries quietly.

Slowly, Obi-Wan nods, "I'm willing to take the chance you're being truthful." He hopes he won't have a reason to regret it.

**b**

"What did Dooku want to talk to you about?" questions Anakin late that evening as they sit in Obi-Wan's room. After talking to Dooku, the two had spent most of the time there. Honestly, Obi-Wan is surprised he didn't ask any sooner. He'd expected the question for a while.

"He explained Sidious' plans for the galaxy," replies Obi-Wan, "And he told me how you've been doing."

He doesn't miss the slight stiffening in Anakin's body, or the way his gaze darts away. It's clear he doesn't want Obi-Wan to know anything about their time apart. He wants to say something, but there's so many things he could say. He doesn't even know where to begin. Saying sorry seems so inadequate with everything Anakin has faced.

"He shouldn't have told you," Anakin mutters at last, not meeting Obi-Wan's eyes.

"Would you have told me if I'd asked?" queries Obi-Wan gently, continuing when Anakin doesn't respond, "I'll take that as a no. Why not?"

"Because it shouldn't matter. It's in the past." There's a faintly wounded note in his voice when he answers. As always, Obi-Wan understands what's bothering Anakin. He wants to hear that Obi-Wan cares enough to know.

"I need to know how you've felt to help you deal with your emotions," Obi-Wan points out, raising an eyebrow slightly.

Anakin meets his eyes. "You're not my master anymore." It's not resentful. He's just stating a fact.

Obi-Wan nods slightly in acknowledgement. "But that doesn't mean I can't help you. I love you, Anakin. I want to help you." Confessing his feelings makes him feel different. Better. Whoever decided that love and attachment are the same is completely wrong. His only regret is that a Sith Lord had to show him that. He's a Jedi. He should have known. Hiding his emotions only weakened their bond, causing unnecessary tension. Whether for the better or worse, Anakin needs affection, and if he'd told him sooner, he knows everything would be different.

"You really do?" Anakin asks tentatively, seemingly still trying to accept that Obi-Wan is willing to admit it.

"Yes, I really do," Obi-Wan confirms without hesitation, feeling the surge of emotions in his brother. He's not going to let Anakin think anything to the contrary, not when the truth has been gnawing at him for years. When Anakin doesn't reply immediately, Obi-Wan rises walking to the window and looking out as the last traces of light disappear from the sky.

"I thought Jedi aren't supposed to love," Anakin says slowly, a clear question in his eyes.

"In that, at least, I've come to think the Jedi are wrong," Obi-Wan answers quietly, turning to watch him, "What you and Dooku have explained showed me that loving someone is not wrong. It's normal. It's different than attachments which are selfish in nature. Over time, I think the Jedi confused the distinction because both involve a type of love: one for another and one for oneself."

Anakin looks thoughtful, but he doesn't reply, so Obi-Wan turns back to the window, looking out without really seeing the outdoors. He has so much to fix. It's crucial that Anakin understand his desire to help and that he accepts it. Anakin – they – can't heal unless they work together.

Obi-Wan continues standing there, staring out into the night, the memories Dooku shared with him assaulting his mind. He hears movement behind him, though Anakin doesn't talk. He doesn't need to look to know that Anakin just laid down on his bed, something he does occasionally, usually when he simply needs comfort.

Minutes pass, and he remains silent. How did he manage to ruin their relationship so much? It's not gone; it can still be repaired, and he intends to do so to the best of his ability. He broke Anakin's trust, that much he'd always known, but he didn't realize he'd also broken his brother's heart until Dooku had shown him everything.

Finally, he turns, taking in Anakin laying on the bed watching him, a shadow of pain lingering in his eyes. And it hurts to know he's the one that put it there. "Are you planning to stay here?" he asks, not because he doesn't already know the answer, but because he's waiting for a confirmation.

"Mmhm. Do you mind?" There's an uncertainty in Anakin's eyes, one that stabs through his heart. Anakin never asks him that. Obi-Wan might complain, but he never means it. In the times when the war was hard, he didn't mind having Anakin next to him. They took comfort from one another's presences, even if they'd never admit to it aloud. He's never minded being there if Anakin needs him.

"No, of course not," he replies, flinching at the wave of relief he feels from Anakin. He really thought Obi-Wan would mind? He should know. He should. And Obi-Wan knows that he did, at least before everything started falling apart. He hates the tension between them, but he doesn't even know what he could do to alleviate it. In a way, he's slightly surprised that Anakin is even talking to him. His brother has always had a way of holding grudges like that.

Sighing, he walks over to his bed, pulling off his boots and leaving them on the floor. He lays down next to Anakin, not surprised when he rolls over curling up against him. He slips his arm around Anakin, letting him rest his head on his shoulder. When Anakin was younger, he would often climb into Obi-Wan's bed when he had nightmares. That changed as he got older, but never completely stopped, especially when the Clone Wars started.

Anakin was – is – like a younger brother, and if anyone could see them right now – Anakin next to him, with Obi-Wan holding him almost protectively – a familial relationship would be correctly assumed. Obi-Wan closes his eyes, letting sleep come to him as Anakin wraps an arm across him. And, as always, they both take comfort in the knowledge that someone they trust and love is next to them, the way it always should have been.