Chapter 26

Once Anakin had left, Obi-Wan sat down on the couch and pondered the recent developments with Yoda and Windu. While he was still unhappy about them deciding to leave him to Maul he really did have to wonder about their motives. It wasn't like either of them to just abandon their own, especially if Anakin had the trail. Maybe he had been right in guessing they at least suspected he knew more than he was letting on. He considered possibly speaking to them about him being from the future. Obviously it would have to be a slightly edited version of the story. There was absolutely no way he was letting them know Anakin turned to the Dark Side. They would kick him out no matter what. He could simply tell them a version of the truth. Anakin had been killed by Palpatine's new apprentice. The same story he had told Luke. Besides, it would be nice not to have to keep the secret to himself anymore.

The problem was, he didn't want to tell them before he told Anakin, except he couldn't tell Anakin. He had no idea what to do. He had not counted on falling in love with Anakin, or Anakin falling in love with him. Obi-Wan did not want their relationship to continue with such gaping, not exactly a lie, but missing information between them. He knew how Anakin was with secrets being kept from him and should he ever find out without Obi-Wan having told him the effects would be disastrous. Once he started letting people know, even if it was only Mace and Yoda, it increased the risk of Anakin finding out.

He closed his eyes and tried to contact Qui-Gon. He desperately needed some advice about this. Soon he was grateful to find himself floating in the whiteness once more.

"Hello, Obi-Wan." Qui-Gon smiled.

"Hello, Master." Obi-Wan smiled in return. Seeing that cheeky grin made Obi-Wan recall all the times he had felt Qui-Gon laughing at him. "I have a bone to pick with you." He said sternly.

"Oh?" Qui-Gon asked, having the nerve to look amused.

"I think it's incredibly unfair you get such amusement out of the mess that is my life." Obi-Wan told him primly.

"Yes, you made your opinion quite clear." Qui-Gon continued to smirk at him. "I really should wash your mouth out for such language." He teased.

"Oh shut up." Obi-Wan snapped, embarrassed. Anakin was such a bad influence.

"Besides, what else am I to do. It's quite boring up here without your entertainment."

"Why did I ever want to talk to you?" He asked with a groan. Qui-Gon laughed.

"I believe you wanted some advice."

"Oh yes. I had wanted to talk to someone wise but you're my only option." His old Master chuckled some more.

"I sense your dilemma. I still think it would be unwise to tell Anakin of the future." Qui-Gon told him, turning serious. "I cannot foresee how he will react."

"What if I tell him I am from the future but that I cannot tell him what happens?" Obi-Wan asked. Qui-Gon shook his head.

"Now that, I think, would just make him worry. He would assume, quite correctly, that you won't tell him because it is bad. If you are to tell him anything, you must tell him everything."

"But you definitely advise against that?"

"I do."

"But he's so different this time. He might be able to handle it. I hate keeping secrets from him." Obi-Wan sighed.

"I know." Qui-Gon told him sympathetically. Then he gave a sly smile. "I can advise against it but I cannot forbid you. Nor can I stop you. He may react better than I expect, especially with you there to help him." Qui-Gon shrugged. "I do, however, suggest you speak to Mace." Obi-Wan nodded.

"I was planning to, I just, if I am going to tell Anakin, I would rather tell him first." Obi-Wan said. Qui-Gon nodded and gave him a smile. "I do not want him to find out from another source."

"I may be one with the Force but I do not know everything. The choice is yours. A lot has changed since I told you Anakin could never know but he is still a hot headed, young man. If he reacts badly, everything could be doomed. It may end worse than your first time around. But then again, I did not expect the relationship between you two. Congratulations by the way." Qui-Gon told him, smile widening. Obi-Wan couldn't help but grin back.

"Thanks."

"You have stayed as long as you can. You must return now." Qui-Gon told him. Obi-Wan wanted to protest that this hadn't actually been any help at all but instead he reached over and pulled Qui-Gon into a hug as the whiteness faded.

Obi-Wan awoke alone on the sofa. A quick glance out the window told him he must have been asleep for quite a while. His stomach agreed with that assessment and rumbled rather loudly. He got himself one of the premade liquid meals Anakin had made and drank it quickly. Then he sat back down and pondered his old Master's words. He really hadn't helped at all. Or had he? He quickly reviewed what he had said and realised Qui-Gon had given him permission, in a way. The same way he had told Anakin that he didn't give him permission to go to Tatooine but he couldn't stop him doing so. It was giving permission without actually saying so. The thought cheered him up until he realised it meant he was going to be telling Anakin about the past/future. Then he was incredibly nervous. He had no idea how the young Jedi would react. Obi-Wan could only hope that he would forgive him for not telling him sooner and would still love him.

Anakin was not due back for at least another couple of days which gave him time to think about what to say. Deep down he knew that no matter how he said it, Anakin would be upset but hopefully he would forgive him like he did after the Rako Hardeen incident. Maybe the easiest way would be to simply show him his memories and explain them as they went along. It would take a lot longer that way but Anakin deserved an explanation for why things had happened the way they did. Well, as much of one as Obi-Wan could possibly provide. The bigger problem would be assuring Anakin that they could change it, that he didn't have to end up evil.

Needing something to do, he decided to head down to the archives and do some research. That always made him feel better. Unfortunately he was waylaid by Vokara Che who demanded he go with her to the med bay for a follow up. She ignored all of his protests and in the end he was forced to do so. It was an unpleasant experience but thankfully she kept it short. He was pronounced to be healing well, better than expected in fact.

"It's like you've been obeying our instructions." She looked at him in surprise. He smiled innocently.

"I always follow your instructions, Healer Che." He said. She scoffed.

"No you don't. But because you have this time, you may be able to come off the liquid diet in three days rather than five."

"Wonderful." He grinned happily.

"Only, if you continue to follow our instructions." She glared at him sternly. He nodded.

"Of course." She gave him a look that said quite clearly she didn't believe him but then allowed him to leave. On his way out he bumped into Ahsoka. She decided to come with him to the archives and they spent a nice few hours chatting about their various topics of research. Clearly Ahsoka was more academically inclined than Anakin, though that wasn't saying much. At least, she could sit through a few hours of intellectual conversation without rolling her eyes and commenting on how bored she was every few minutes.

As dusk began to fall, Obi-Wan stretched and yawned. It seemed he was going to be having an early night. He wasn't looking forward to having to sleep alone. Apparently a couple of nights with Anakin beside him had spoilt him completely. He and Ahsoka said their goodbyes and he made his way back to the empty apartment. It felt much larger without Anakin in it. He grabbed himself some dinner and tidied up a few bits that Anakin had left lying around. Then he went into their room and tidied up some more. He disliked a messy bedroom. The living area he could cope with but the bedroom would remain tidy. Anakin could use his old room if he wished to make a mess. Provided Anakin wished to share a room with him after what he had to tell him. Obi-Wan tried to shake off the negative thoughts but they plagued him constantly and he got little sleep that night.

The next day they received a report from Anakin that they had obtained information about a new droid factory being built. It turned out Clovis had indeed been working with the Separatists. Anakin said they would be back in a few hours and he would give a full report once he escorted Senator Amidala to her apartments safely as she was recovering from being poisoned. The Council were pleased with the news.

They convened a few hours later and Anakin did indeed give his full report. It seemed to have gone similarly to last time around. It was decreed that this new factory must be dealt with immediately.

"The Geonosians will resist us, as well as the Separatist army." Ki-Adi Mundi pointed out.

"Agreed. We will need a very large force to destroy the factory and retake Geonosis." Shaak Ti spoke up.

"Master Mundi, lead the attack force, you will." Yoda instructed.

"Yes, Master." He nodded his head.

"Knight Skywalker and his Padawan shall accompany you. You will leave in four days, to give you enough time to assemble enough troopers." Mace said. Anakin and Mundi nodded again. Obi-Wan wanted to say he would go too but it was hit and miss whether he would be cleared for action by then. If he could come off his liquid diet in three days he might just about make it. The Council was dismissed. Since they had four days before Anakin had to leave again, Obi-Wan decided to speak with him there and then so he did not have to go in the middle of an important conversation. His nerves grew higher and higher as they walked towards their apartments. Once inside Anakin turned to him, pulling him into a hug.

"Are you ok? I can feel how nervous you are, you're about to give yourself a heart attack." He asked, voice muffled from where his face was buried in Obi-Wan's hair.

"I, we need to talk, Anakin." Anakin immediately pulled back and looked at him, panic in his eyes.

"Is it about us?" He asked.

"Sort of." Obi-Wan admitted. "I still love you, and want to be with you, that will never change." He hurried to reassure the young man. Anakin visibly relaxed at his words. Obi-Wan guided them both to the couch. "It's just I have something important to tell you and it will probably change the way you look at me."

"What?" Anakin's eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"I really don't know how to say this except bluntly. I'm from the future, Anakin." The younger Jedi burst out laughing until he realised Obi-Wan was deadly serious. He looked at him sceptically.

"What?" He repeated.

"I lived through all of this and then I died and I was given a chance to come back and change things."

"What things would you need to change?" Anakin asked.

"Everything." Obi-Wan admitted. "Essentially the clone wars were orchestrated by the Sith to destroy the Jedi and they won. Only a handful of Jedi survive what became known as the Jedi Purge." Anakin was gaping at him.

"How could that possibly happen?" Obi-Wan took a deep breath and decided to just bite the blaster bolt.

"A lot of things really but they all centred around you."

"Excuse me?"

"Palpatine is a Sith lord and he makes you his apprentice. You help to destroy the Jedi." Anakin lurches away from him.

"NO! I would never! Why would you lie about this?" He asked, leaping off the couch and looking betrayed.

"I'm not lying, Anakin. I would rather die than believe it except I lived through it."

"What could possibly make me do that?"

"Padme."

"What?" Anakin turned from horrified to completely confused.

"It's a very long story. Can I please show you?" Obi-Wan begged. So far Anakin hadn't run, killed him or blown anything up so it was going better than he expected. Although he suspected Anakin didn't really believe him, nor had the full impact of his confession sunk in. Anakin watched him for a few seconds warily. Eventually he nodded, sitting back down on the couch but leaving as much distance between them as possible. Obi-Wan reached out with the Force and gently guided Anakin into his mind.

They were standing at Qui-Gon's funeral. Obi-Wan stared at the flames angrily. He leant down to tell Anakin he would be a Jedi but there was far less warmth than Anakin remembered.

"Qui-Gon's last words to me were to make sure I train you. I felt so hurt that he didn't tell me he was proud of me for killing Maul or that I had been a good Padawan. I was jealous of you, that Qui-Gon considered me ready for the trials simply because he wanted to take you on." Obi-Wan explained.

The scene changed and a much younger Obi-Wan was pacing around the apartment, running his hands through his hair.

"I'm not ready for a Padawan. But Master Qui-Gon wanted me to. Why me? Because nobody else will train the boy and there is no way I'm sending the poor kid back to Tatooine. This isn't his fault." Obi-Wan mutters to himself as the two ghostly figures watch. A nine year old Anakin comes out of his room looking sad.

"Master Obi-Wan? I had a nightmare."

"Don't worry, Anakin. It's expected given the last few days you've had. They will pass, I promise." Obi-Wan told him. Anakin looked disappointed but returned to his room.

"I'm so sorry for how I treated you then. I didn't know better. I clung to the Jedi rules so desperately because I almost failed as a Jedi." The present Obi-Wan said.

"You what?" Anakin exclaimed, jolted out of his thoughts.

"Yes. I was sent to Bandomeer where all children go if they are not chosen as a Padawan."

They watch as a teenage Obi-Wan Kenobi fights another youngling. Qui-Gon watches from the side with Yoda. Obi-Wan eventually wins the fight. Qui-Gon studies him critically before shaking his head.

"He is too aggressive." He says to Master Yoda. Then he turns to Obi-Wan. "I'm sorry youngling, I cannot take you as my Padawan learner.

"Please!" Obi-Wan says. Qui-Gon shakes his head once more and leaves.

"Sorry, I am, young Kenobi. To Bandomeer you must go." Yoda tells him and he does sound genuinely sorry. Young Obi-Wan sinks to his knees. Then he suddenly stands up, determination on his face, thought a single tear trickled down his cheek.

"I decided that I would still stick to the Jedi code, no matter what. I could stand by their principles even if I failed."

"I had no idea." Anakin whispers. The thought of Obi-Wan being considered a bad Jedi was laughable.

"I do not like to dwell on it." Obi-Wan told him.

Next they see a slightly older Anakin angrily storming away from a group of other teenagers. Obi-Wan looks up as he enters the apartments.

"I thought you were supposed to be sparring?"

"None of them are good enough. It's too easy." Anakin complained. Obi-Wan gave him a disapproving look.

"If they are not as good as you then you can help them." He chided.

"It's a waste of my time. I need to get better." Anakin stated firmly. "Besides, they all don't trust me. Like their Masters."

"They do trust you, Anakin." Obi-Wan tries to reassure him.

"No they don't." Anakin scoffs. "They all think I'm this Chosen One but I'm too old to be trained. They will never trust me."

"Foolishly I hoped it would get better." Obi-Wan said in a sad tone. "It never did and you stopped confiding in me. When you stopped, I assumed the issue resolved and let your bitterness and anger fester."

"You just...dismissed my concerns?" Anakin asked, sounding as if he didn't understand.

"I tried to help where I could but I was too absorbed in the Jedi code to notice you needed a different approach because of your age. It wasn't necessarily a bad thing but we ignored it and distrusted you because of it instead of helping you. I'm so sorry." Anakin looked at him, eyes shining with unshed tears.

Another young Anakin fights a droid that looks like Maul. Anakin defeated it as Windu, Obi-Wan and Palpatine watched him. Palpatine looked impressed but there was also a gleam of something else in his eyes. Later Anakin and Obi-Wan arrive in the Chancellor's office.

"Ah, Anakin, so glad you could make it. I was rather impressed by your display earlier." Palpatine says smoothly.

"Thank you, your Excellency." Anakin positively beams at him. Palpatine smiles warmly in return.

"If you don't mind, Master Kenodi, I would like young Anakin to accompany me on a small errand."

"I'm quite happy to accompany you both."

"That's quite alright. I assure you it's nothing dangerous. No need to worry."

"I'll be fine, Master." Anakin tells him. Obi-Wan doesn't look happy but he sighs.

"Alright then. I shall be back to collect you in a few hours."

"Thank you." Palpatine smiles again.

"I don't know what happened with him but shortly after you told me you wished to quit the Jedi, even giving me your lightsaber."

"I did what?" Anakin asked in astonishment.

"Yes. You said you were uncomfortable with the idea of your whole life being decided at such a young age. I begged you to reconsider but before you could give a definite answer we were given a mission. Afterwards you agreed to stay. I was so relieved. When you wanted to leave I felt like such a failure."

"I'm sure in any life or timeline or whatever, you were an excellent master." Anakin assured him.

"If only that were true." Obi-Wan whispered.

A nineteen year old Anakin is talking with Obi-Wan. He tells him about the dreams about his mother. Obi-Wan tells him that dreams pass in time.

"That's all you had to say?" Anakin says, so quietly Obi-Wan almost missed it. He hung his head.

"I thought they were just dreams. I did not learn otherwise until it was too late."

"Too late?"

"Yes. You did go to Tatooine but by the time you got there it was too late. Your mother was dead."

"You...I...mum?" Anakin sank down to his knees, the tears finally falling.

"I don't know what happened on Tatooine, you never said, but I know it wasn't good. Losing your mother obviously affected you deeply and in that fight with Dooku on Geonosis, you charged in first and the fight ended with you getting your arm cut off."

"What now?" Anakin glanced down at his arms as if to check they were real. The younger man looked ready to pass out.

"Yoda arrived and saved both our lives. After Geonosis you married Padme."

"I did what?"

"Given that we were not as close as we are now, your crush on Padme never faded. You married in secret on Naboo. Then the clone wars happened, you met Ahsoka and I thought it would be ok. You were a good master to her. And then Ahsoka was framed for a crime she did not commit by another disenchanted Padawan and thrown out of the Jedi order."

"They kicked out Ahsoka?" Anakin asked, enraged. He got back to his feet, fury in his face. "For something she didn't do?"

"Yes, when they realised they were wrong, the Council offered to let her back but she refused."

"Understandably." Anakin stated firmly. Obi-Wan nodded.

"Palpatine had been a close friend of yours all through your training. We had no idea he was a Sith Lord, we were so blind and he was there constantly trying to turn you against the Jedi. Your bitterness that I missed and your resentment at the treatment of you festered and he egged it on. You told him about your marriage. We never killed Grievous. All those hunches I had were because I knew what was going to happen and I was trying to save lives."

"So much responsibility." Anakin breathed. Obi-Wan nodded. "I still don't understand. We might not have been as close as we are not but I cannot ever imagine turning against you."

"I couldn't imagine it either." Obi-Wan choked slightly, his own tears now sliding down his face. He wanted to pull Anakin close but resisted. He guessed the young man might not appreciate that right now.

An older Anakin and Obi-Wan face Dooku while Palpatine is chained behind them.

"My powers have doubled since the last time we met, Count." Anakin brags.

Anakin's eyes are drawn to the metallic arm that has replaced his flesh one.

Obi-Wan is knocked out and the image returns with him over Anakin's shoulder in an elevator shaft. They escape. Time skips and Anakin has just landed the ship.

"Another happy landing." Obi-Wan announces.

"Just after this, Padme told you she was pregnant." Anakin simply gapes. He has no more words for this ridiculousness that Obi-Wan is telling him.

"You began having visions of her dying in childbirth. I suspect you did not confide in me because of how I reacted to the visions of your mother. Palpatine told us the Grievous had been located and that he was going to recommend the Council to send you. He also said he was appointing you as his representative on the Jedi Council."

"He made them give me a seat on the Council?" Anakin asked, wondering how he could possibly still have the capacity to be surprised.

"Yes. I suspect because he knew what they would do and they fell into the trap. The Council gave you a seat but refused to make you a Jedi Master."

"What?" Anakin exclaimed. "But that has never been done before."

"Not actually true but also not the point. Palpatine knew they would do so and that it would further turn you against the Jedi. To make matters worse the Council ordered you to spy on Palpatine. Obviously you were against the idea as he was your close friend at the time. You mistrusted the Council even further. I was then assigned to Utupau to find Grievous."

Obi-Wan continued to explain the events that led to the rise of Darth Vader. He occasionally showed images of what had happened but he hadn't been there for most of it. He skipped the bit with Anakin killing the younglings. There were some things he definitely did not need to know. Ever. When he reached the part about their duel on Mustafar Anakin actually threw up.

"I...but how...I mean I see how but...KRIFFING HELL!" Anakin screamed, sinking to his knees with his hands over his face. Forgetting his previous thought about touching Anakin, Obi-Wan knelt beside him and pulled him into a hug. Anakin sobbed into his shoulder. Reluctantly Obi-Wan told him how he defeated Anakin and left him to die. His own voice became shaky and he stuttered a lot as he was now crying heavily as well. In the end he just showed Anakin the rest. The twins being born. Taking Luke to Tatooine and becoming a hermit. His last duel with Vader. Once he was finally done Obi-Wan let himself collapse fully against Anakin and they both cried over the horrors they had just witnessed/relieved.