Chapter 23 - The Plot Thickens

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"I do not think we have a choice," Dooku warns, looking between the two Jedi, "If we intend to succeed, we must go after Sidious in a few days before he becomes even more suspicious." Silence greets his words. Kenobi and Skywalker exchange a long look.

Since their conversation the previous day, Dooku has noticed Skywalker seems almost like a different person. He's still moody, to be sure, but he's much calmer and more level-headed. It's a blessing, really, because Dooku isn't sure how much longer he could have handled him. Kenobi's presence has made a world of difference.

"We must be cautious when attacking Sidious," Dooku continues when neither speak, "His power should not be taken lightly, even against the three of us."

"Anakin and I will fight as a team," Kenobi replies, "We fight best that way. No one has defeated us when we're together."

"Well there was that time on Geonosis…" begins Skywalker, likely remembering their first encounter with Dooku.

Kenobi raises an eyebrow. "We weren't fighting together," he reminds him, "And you must keep in mind that Sidious is nothing like Dooku as we've been so aptly informed." He smirks slightly. "This time, we'll do it together," Kenobi warns, looking pointedly at Skywalker's right arm.

Skywalker chuckles quietly, a glimmer in his eyes. "Yes, contrary to your belief, I do learn from my mistakes."

"Oh really? Then why do you always seem to be crashing your ships?" asks Kenobi, a faint smirk still on his face.

"It's not my fault," retorts Skywalker, frowning at him though Dooku senses he's hiding a grin, "It's the ship's!"

"Do you ever stop arguing?" questions Dooku mildly, redirecting their attention from one another to him, though he finds he doesn't mind their bantering as much as he thought he might.

"Sometimes, but brothers argue," Kenobi replies simply, his expression softening imperceptibly as he looks at Skywalker. They share a look, conveying more through a glance than could be exchanged in words. It calms Dooku somewhat, seeing Skywalker so relaxed, bantering with Kenobi. Those two are brothers in every sense of the word.

He nods to himself. Bringing Kenobi to help was the right choice. If nothing else, he gives Skywalker balance. He brings calm to Skywalker's stormy emotions. They are close. Very close. He's surprised that the Jedi Council did nothing to prevent it. Perhaps they've never really seen the extent of the connection. It's far deeper than anything he's ever seen among the Jedi.

Skywalker could never be a Sith – at least not the kind Sidious wants. He's too emotional, loves too deeply. It's easy to see why he was so broken over what happened between him and Kenobi. The Council acted foolishly, as usual. It's dangerous – if not harmful – to disrupt a bond like the one those two share, but Dooku is convinced it will heal given time. They're too close and love each other too much to let anything come between them.

"Now we need to discuss the details of our plan," Dooku informs them. He expects it to go smoothly. From what he's seen and heard, Skywalker is an expert at making plans and finding new opportunities if necessary. Defeating Sidious will likely require both him and Kenobi. Selecting them was the right choice.

**b**

"You do still have your original kyber crystal, don't you?" asks Obi-Wan, watching as Anakin uses the Force to pull apart his lightsaber.

Anakin rolls his eyes. "Of course. What? Did you think I would just throw it out?" He might have been upset at the Jedi, but that crystal is his, so he wouldn't have gotten rid of it.

"You could have lost it," suggests Obi-Wan, an almost mischievous look on his face, "You've made new lightsabers often enough."

Anakin reaches over and whacks Obi-Wan's arm but can't hold back a chuckle. Still smirking, he withdraws the red kyber crystal from his lightsaber, pulling it back to his hand. Carefully, he maneuvers the original blue one in place before resealing the components. He pushes the ignition switch, a satisfied expression on his face when the blue blade hums to life.

"And I'm keeping this one too," mutters Anakin, clipping his lightsaber back to his belt and walking towards his armor. He tucks the red crystal into the same pocket he'd kept his blue one.

"Now let's see if Dooku is ready," advises Obi-Wan turning towards the door. Together, they go in search of Dooku.

"You change your crystal yet, Count?" calls Anakin when he spots Dooku.

"I did," Dooku confirms. Anakin can hardly repress his surprise when Dooku ignites his lightsaber, displaying the blue blade. It will send a strong message to Sidious. Sith Lord or not, Dooku is clearly showing his loyalties, and they are not to Sidious. Even though he has problems with the Jedi Order, he's also willing to protect them.

"Very well. Tomorrow night we'll be leaving, and I – for one – pray that Anakin's plan doesn't go wrong this time," Obi-Wan remarks, glancing at Anakin for a moment.

Anakin huffs, "Really, Master. Have some faith. It will be just fine."

"Oh really?" retorts Obi-Wan, giving him a skeptical look, "I don't know why I agreed to help you sneak Dooku into the Senate. It seems like suicide to me."

"Only because everything is suicide to you," Anakin mumbles under his breath, smirking when Obi-Wan glares at him.

"I prefer strategies which have a higher chance of success, thank you very much." Obi-Wan crosses his arms.

"You should have thought up a better one then," smirks Anakin, "As opposed to going with my reckless one."

"As least you admit it's reckless," Obi-Wan deadpans.

"Your words not mine," Anakin reminds him.

Dooku clears his throat. "If you two are quite done, it would probably be best if we did some sparring. Skywalker, you need to work on perfecting your emotional control. Sidious will know how to get at you, and you can't let him do it."

Anakin nods. He knows. He knows it very well, in fact. Dooku drilled it into his mind. Weaknesses? He has many, but he can't possibly prepare himself to defend all of them. If he had an idea where Sidious would strike, he could plan accordingly. The only rule he can follow is to simply not let Sidious get to him by reminding himself that the Sith Lord simply wants him to slip up. He'll try to make him fall, and he cannot let that happen.

**b**

"I don't like this," states Obi-Wan firmly as he watches Anakin.

"You said that already," Anakin retorts, a frown slipping onto his face. He knows Obi-Wan is worried; he's worried too, but there really isn't another choice.

"There is no better choice, Kenobi," Dooku interjects, saving Anakin the trouble of trying to formulate a different retort. At least they agree on this, even if Dooku wasn't very happy with being smuggled into the Senate building.

Obi-Wan sighs, and Anakin can almost see a shadow of worry in his blue-gray eyes. "I know, but I still think we might be able to formulate something more effective than Anakin being left by Sidious, even if that time is short."

"You think I'll Fall?" demands Anakin, incensed.

"No. I don't think you'll Fall, but Sidious has a way of manipulating people and putting doubts in their minds. I'd rather that not happen to you again," Obi-Wan answers.

"You talk this out," Dooku interrupts, "I'll be in the cabin. Let me know when we're exiting hyperspace." With those words, he rises gracefully and strides from the cockpit leaving the two brothers alone.

Anakin glares at Obi-Wan. "You don't trust me to handle myself around him."

"Anakin," Obi-Wan's voice is a tad bit sharper than normal, and there's a faint weariness in his gaze, "I've told you already that I do trust you. This has nothing to do with trust. I'm – I'm worried about you. We don't know what Sidious is capable of."

Somehow, Obi-Wan has gotten into the habit of talking more about his feelings, though it still seems hard for him to do so. Anakin isn't sure he likes it. It's slightly disconcerting for Obi-Wan to show emotions, especially since Anakin has always considered him a perfect Jedi – meaning having and showing no feelings whatsoever.

The anger drains out of him, and he sinks back in his seat. "I'm worried too," he admits, "But this is the only way it can be done." Obi-Wan nods, not saying anything. Anakin can see the tension in his body.

"We'll get out of this," Anakin says at last, partially to break the strained silence.

A half-hearted smile appears on his brother's face. "We always seem to," Obi-Wan agrees. After another moment of silence, his expression becomes serious, and he turns to look at Anakin. "Are you afraid you'll Fall?"

"I –" begins Anakin before stopping. Is he afraid? He knows how close he was – how close he could be. When he finally answers, his voice is low. "I don't know. I don't want to, but sometimes – it's like I can't control it."

"I'll be with you," promises Obi-Wan, putting a hand on his brother's shoulder, "I won't leave you to face him alone."

A feeling of warmth spreads through Anakin, and the ghost of a smile surfaces. "I know."